Vatican City, Jan 22, 2004 / 22:00 pm
On Friday morning Pope John Paul received in audience Jose Maria Aznar, President of the Spanish government, accompanied by his wife and an entourage.
During his brief remarks to Aznar, the Pope expressed his joy at having received him along with his family, as this is his last visit to the pontiff as the president of government after eight years in office.
“During this period,” he said, “we have had the opportunity to meet on diverse occasions, the last of which was during my apostolic trip to Spain last May.”
“On that memorable occasion –the Pope continued, - I was able to recognize the deep Christian roots of the Spanish people and the dynamism of the Church in your noble country.”