The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, has declared December 14th to be a day of fasting, prayer, and charity throughout the world, begging for peace, as he indicated in his Angelus message of November 18, 2001: "Each of us who goes without by fasting will be taking on the disposition of the poor, especially those who suffer at present the consequences of terrorism and war."

The Pope wished to reach out, as a symbolic embrace, to every person in need, and therefore asked all believers to offer a concrete gesture of charity in order to bring hope and daily bread to those who live in distress and need.

The Holy See has opened a current extraordinary account, managed by the Pontifical Council "COR UNUM", at the

- BANCA DI ROMA

C/C N. 101010 "PRO DIGIUNO 14 DICEMBRE"

ABI code: 3002

CAB code: 5008

SWIFT code for offerings outside Italy add: BROMIT

under the heading "Pontificio Consiglio COR UNUM"

- as well as a current account at "Poste Italiane":

C/C N. 603035

Under the heading "Pontificio Consiglio COR UNUM"

All offerings collected will be sent by the Pope on Christmas Day to those who are victims of the consequences of terrorism and war, who risk being forgotten after the major emergencies pass.

 November 30, 2001