Vatican City: Pope Benedict XVI today described the Beijing Olympic Games as "an event of great importance for the entire human family" as he received the China Philharmonic at the Vatican.
Speaking at the end of a performance in his honour, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church expressed "a special thought for those of your fellow (Chinese) citizens who share faith in Jesus and are united through a particular spiritual bond with the Successor of Peter".
He added: "As I thank you once again for this most welcome tribute, I send my greetings, through you, to all the people of China as they prepare for the Olympic Games, an event of great importance for the entire human family."
