Castelgandolfo (Fides Service) - The Cistercian spirituality "retains all its value of witness in the cultural context of today which all to often stirs a longing for goods of little worth and artificial paradises". This was underlined by Pope John Paul II when he received in audience on September 19, at the Summer Residence of Castel Gandolofo, 220 Abbots and Abbesses of the Cistercians of Strict Order (Trappists) "The development of the Order places you today…in contact with different religious traditions, with which it is necessary build wise and prudent dialogue so that Christ, the only light, may shine everywhere in the plurality of cultures" the Pope said urging the religious not to be discouraged by difficulties and trials. He also recalled the sacrifice of the seven monks in Tibhirine (Algeria, brutally murdered in May 1996): "May their blood be the seed of many holy vocations for your monasteries and convents" in Europe where there is a marked ageing of the communities and in other parts of the world where adequate formation must be guaranteed to the numerous aspirants. For the complete text see http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/speeches/2002/september/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_20020919_trappisti_it.html SL (Fides Service 20/9/2002)