After the Angelus, yesterday morning, Benedict XVI expressed his "spiritual closeness to an African country which is going through an extremely difficult time: Guinea". "The Bishops of that country he added shared with me their anxiety for the situation of social paralysis, with general strikes and violent reactions, that have caused many victims. In asking that human and civil rights be respected, I will pray, that the common commitment to going the way of dialogue may lead you to overcome this crisis". Then, the Pope greeted all the Poles and recalled "the initiative of the Bishops" of that country, so that "in Poland, next Ash Wednesday will be a special day of ‘prayer and penance for all of the Polish priests’". "May the prayer for the holiness of the priests said the Holy Father fill all the devotees with a spirit of forgiveness, reconciliation and mutual trust. May God bless the Church in Poland". Finally, Benedict XVI mentioned that yesterday many Eastern countries celebrated "the lunar New Year’s Day, with joy and in the intimacy of their families". "To all those great peoples he stated I send a heart-felt wish of peace and prosperity".
