(6 Nov 2003)
1. President Mary McAleese's car arrives
2. President McAleese steps out of car and greets cardinal
3. Swiss Guard escort McAleese and group into audience with Pope John Paul II
4. McAleese greets pontiff
5. Close up of hands
6. Mid shot of Pope and McAleese
7. President McAleese's husband Martin greets Pope
8. Wide shot of audience
9. Pope reads out speech
10. Mid shot President McAleese listening
11. Dr. McAleese (husband) and others listening to Pope's speech
12. Mid shot of Pope's 'fisherman's ring'
13. Mid shot President McAleese showing pontiff commemorative book
14. President McAleese shows pontiff the chalice she has brought as gift
15. Pope hands out gifts
16. Pull-out from pontiff and McAleese with hands touching
17. Mid shot as McAleese and husband about to leave the Pope
STORYLINE:
Pope John Paul II told Ireland's president Thursday that her country has an "essential role" to play in affirming its Christian identity in an enlarged European Union.
The frail pontiff appeared in good form as he welcomed President Mary McAleese to the Vatican and read a brief speech after their 10 minutes of private talks.
"Ireland, with its rich Christian history and its outstanding patrimony of spiritual and cultural values, has an essential role to play in the
building of the new Europe and the affirmation of its deepest identity," John Paul said.
The Vatican has been battling for the Europe's Christian roots to be mentioned in a constitution being written for the EU. This has received opposition with Turkey, whose population is predominantly Muslim, likely to become a member in the near future.
John Paul expressed "my deep affection for the Irish people" and sent his greetings to them.
He presented the president with a bronze of the Madonna and Child as a gift for the Irish people. As her gift, McAleese gave the pope a chalice and a book recounting John Paul's 1979 Irish pilgrimage.
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28 сен 2024
