Excerpts From a Telephone Conversation With Pope John Paul II About the Situation in Poland

December 14, 1981

The President. "Your Holiness, I want you to know how deeply we feel about the situation in your homeland.''

``I look forward to the time when we can meet in person.''

``Our sympathies are with the people, not the government.''

``Our country was inspired when you visited Poland, and to see their commitment to religion and belief in God. It was an inspiration to the whole world to watch on television. All of us were very thrilled.''

Note: The telephone conversation began at approximately 12:15 p.m.

As printed above, the transcript of the remarks follows the press release and a portion of the daily press briefing.