VATICAN CITY (UCAN) -- Pope Benedict praised the Church in Myanmar for "its solidarity with the poor and needy," especially after the cyclone, when he met the country's bishops recently.

Addressing the prelates at the end of their ad limina visit, he also said he hoped that, following the agreement U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon reached with Myanmar's military rulers, international relief and aid workers would reach those most in need.

Pope Benedict spoke with the bishops as a group in his private library at the Vatican on May 30, after talking with them individually earlier in the week. Church law obliges bishops to travel to Rome once every five years to report on their diocese to the Holy Father and various Vatican offices.

Archbishop Paul Zinghtung Grawng of Mandalay, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Myanmar, greeted the pope on behalf of the 14 bishops present. He expressed regret that two others could not come: Archbishop Charles Maung Bo of Yangon, "due to the recent cyclone disaster," and Bishop Peter Louis Ca Ku of Kengtung, "because of ill health."

He thanked the pope for "the special love" he has shown the Myanmar Church, especially his "fervent prayers and concern for all the peoples of our country in difficult moments, such as the protests of last September and the recent cyclone disaster." Those words "are a source of 'divine strength and comfort,'" he said, and the pope's "appeal to a sense of justice and charity provided hope for peace and reconciliation."

Buddhists comprise around 85 percent of Myanmar's 53 million people, but Archbishop Grawng told the pope evangelization "is gaining momentum" and the local Catholic Church has 650,000 members including 658 priests, 1,330 Religious sisters and brothers, and 2,084 catechists.

"The Church in Myanmar is known and admired for its solidarity with the poor and needy," Pope Benedict stated in his response. He mentioned in particular the response to Cyclone Nargis as well as the work of "numerous Catholic agencies and associations."
The pope encouraged the bishops to continue "establishing a fruitful link between evangelization and works of charity." He also referred indirectly to military rulers' reluctance to allow international cyclone relief.

On this matter, he said he was "hopeful" that "following the agreement recently reached on the provision of aid by the international community, all who are ready to help will be able to furnish the type of assistance required and enjoy effective access to the places where it is needed most."

The universal Church, he assured the bishops, "is joined spiritually with those who mourn the loss of loved ones." The Holy Father prayed God would "open the hearts of all, so that a concerted effort may be made to facilitate and coordinate the ongoing endeavor to bring relief to the suffering and rebuild the country's infrastructure."

Pope Benedict then turned to other "signs of hope" he sees in this Southeast Asian Church. He cited the rising number of "women responding to the call to consecrated life" and increasing vocations to the priesthood.

In both cases he emphasized the need for solid formation. He commended Religious communities for cooperating and offering joint "formation courses" through the Catholic Religious Conference, and he said priesthood candidates need to become "examples of faithfulness and holiness for the people of God" as priests.

The "enthusiasm" with which youths and other laypeople are participating in the local Church's life is a third "sign of hope." But here too he insisted on "a robust and dynamic Christian formation, which will inspire them to carry the Gospel message to their workplaces, families and to society at large."

Pope Benedict encouraged the Myanmar Church "to develop ever better relations with Buddhists for the good of your individual communities and of the entire nation," while applauding initiatives taken thus far.

He concluded by thanking the bishops for their "faithful ministry in the midst of difficult circumstances and setbacks often beyond your control." Before imparting his blessing, he presented each with a pectoral cross and encouraged them to take Saint Paul as an example in their demanding mission.

The pope has declared a Pauline Year running from June 29 this year to June 29, 2009.

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