PROTECT THE WEAK

Sounding again the major themes of his visit to America, Pope John Paul II told congregants at an open-air mass Friday morning at New York's Aqueduct racetrack that they must show more compassion to the poor and the weak, and return to traditional family values. As a crowd estimated at 75,000 listened,the Pope told them: "Not everyone here is powerful; not everyone here is rich. In fact, America's sometimes extravagant affluence often conceals much hardship and poverty." Moving to family concerns, the Pontiff called for an immediate end to abortion, and more family stability. "Society must strongly reaffirm the right of the child to grow up in a family in which, as far as possible, both parents are present," he said.