DECLARATION ON PAPAL APPEAL FOR CLEMENCY

VATICAN CITY, DEC 13, 1996 (VIS) - The director of the Holy See Press office today made the following statement relative to the death penalty given to Joseph O'Dell, who is scheduled to be put to death in coming days in Virginia, U.S.A.:

"The Holy Father John Paul II has sent his personal message to the apostolic nuncio in the United States, so that he might intercede in his name to obtain clemency for the condemned."
OP/PAPAL APPEAL CLEMENCY/NAVARRO-VALLS VIS 961213 (90)