John Paul II welcomes the bishops of the Philippines to their ad limina visit, expressing affection for the Filipino people and assuring them of his prayers for their nation. He acknowledges the difficulties of their ministry while urging confidence in Christ’s grace. The Pope praises the vitality and growth of the Philippine Church, commends the bishops’ compassionate defence of human dignity and their conference’s collaborative spirit, and recalls their primary duty to proclaim the truth of the Gospel and of the human person.