On Monday morning, Pope John Paul II received in audience the president of the Republic of Costa Rica, Abel Pacheco de la Espriella, to whom he expressed his joy at “the existing collaboration between the Church and the authorities of your country.”

Costa Rica is the oldest Latin America democracy, and under President Pacheco, it has been one of the strongest allies of the Vatican and the US Administration in life and family issues.

After urging Costa Ricans “to continue walking on the solid foundation of a just, unified, responsible and peaceful society,” John Paul II renewed his wishes “for the spiritual and material progress of your people, for their coexistence in harmony and freedom.”