Vatican City (Fides Service) - In his Wednesday Audience on 11 December, held in the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican, Pope John Paul said this in English. "Dear Brothers and Sisters, The Canticle which we have just heard is a moving lamentation in which the Prophet Jeremiah calls on the Lord to deliver his people from the calamities of famine and war. Jeremiah's supplication is a plea for God to remember the Covenant with his people and to save them. The people, for their part, recognise their sin and cry out with humility and repentance to the Lord. They return to God, their Saviour, who has not withdrawn from them his love and mercy. Thus the Lord remains always with his people, never abandons them, and renews their life. I extend a special greeting to the Marist Brothers taking part in a programme of spiritual renewal: may your time in Rome confirm you in your service of the Lord and his Church. Upon all the English-speaking visitors I invoke joy and peace in our Lord Jesus Christ, and I pray that this season of Advent will prepare you for a truly blessed celebration of Christmas". See audience in different languages SL (Fides Service 12/12/2002)