Most Holy Father,

Thank you for your kindness in receiving us as we conclude the first plenary meeting of the Ponfifical Council for Social Communications during your ponfificate.

As you can imagine, we were able to review a vast amount of work done through our Council, especially on the occasion of the events of last April: the final illness, death and funeral of the late and lamented Pope John Paul Il and your own election to the papacy as his successor.

As you recall, the last Apostolic Letter of the late Pope John Paul II, "Il Rapido Sviluppo", was on the theme of communications. In large part because of the events of April, the significance of that document has been overlooked by many, and we have been studying how to implement that document and your own first message for World Communications Day and your first encyclical letter, "Deus Caritas Est", in our work throughout the world.

We deeply appreciate your kindness in receiving us and we look forward to your guidance and to your prayers and blessing, as we assure you on our prayers for you and your work for the universal Church.

Thank you!