PAPAL APPEAL FOR CLEMENCY SAVES PRISONER'S LIFE

VATICAN CITY, JAN 29, 1999 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls made the following statement yesterday afternoon on the act of clemency by the governor of Missouri (U.S.A.) who commuted a prisoner's death sentence to life imprisonment without parole:

"During the pastoral visit of John Paul II to St. Louis, Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano had a private conversation with the governor of the state of Missouri to present to him, in the name of the Holy Father, a request for clemency for humanitarian reasons for Mr. Darrell Mease.

"At the time of his departure, the Holy Father personally beseeched the governor to take into consideration an act of clemency in Mr. Mease's regards.

"When he learned the news of the generous decision of the governor, John Paul II expressed great satisfaction for the gesture of significant humanity by Governor Mel Carnahan of Missouri."

OP;CLEMENCY; USA;...;SODANO; NAVARRO-VALLS;VIS;19990129;Word: 160;

MESSAGE FOR WORLD DAY OF COMMUNICATIONS

VATICAN CITY, JAN 29, 1999 (VIS) - Made public today was the Pope's message for the 33rd World Day of Communications which will be held on May 16. The theme of the Day is "Mass Media: a Friendly Companion for Those in Search of the Father."

In the message dated January 24, the feast of St. Francis de Sales, patron saint of journalists, the Holy Father writes that the theme of the day "implies two questions: how might the media work with God rather than against him? And how might the media be a friendly companion to those searching for God's loving presence in their lives? ... Finally the theme implies an invitation and a hope: that those responsible for the world of social communications will be ever more committed to help rather than hinder the search for meaning which is at the very heart of human life."

John Paul II states that the theme "recognizes the exceptional influence of the media in contemporary culture, and therefore the media's special responsibility to witness to the truth about life, about human dignity, about the true meaning of our freedom and mutual interdependence."

Greater cooperation between the Church and the media can help "to serve the men and women of our time in their search for meaning and fulfillment." For example, "the Church's culture of remembrance can save the media culture of transitory 'news' from becoming a forgetfulness which corrodes real hope; and the media can help the Church to proclaim the Gospel in all its enduring freshness. ... The Church's culture of wisdom can save the media culture of information from becoming a meaningless accumulation of facts; and the media can help the Church's wisdom to remain alert to the array of new knowledge now emerging."

MESS;DAY SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS;...;...;VIS;19990129;Word: 300;

GOVERNOR'S STATEMENT ON DECISION TO COMMUTE DEATH PENALTY

VATICAN CITY, JAN 29, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy See Press Office today released the following statement issued on January 28 by the office of Governor Mel Carnahan of Missouri:

"Yesterday afternoon Pope John Paul II asked me to commute the death sentence of Darrell Mease. The Pope asked me to, in his words, 'have mercy on Mr. Mease' in reaching this decision. I took into account the extraordinary circumstances of the Pope's request and the historical significance of the papal visit to the city of St. Louis and the state of Missouri. After careful consideration of his direct and personal appeal and because of a deep and abiding respect for the Pontiff and all that he represents, I decided last night to grant his request. I commuted the sentence of Darrell Mease to life in prison without the possibility of parole."

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IF YOU WANT PEACE, SEEK JUSTICE, DEFEND LIFE, EMBRACE THE TRUTH

VATICAN CITY, JAN 27, 1999 (VIS) - At 4:30 p.m., Pope John Paul presided at an evening prayer service with Catholics, the faithful of other Christian denominations, and Jews and Muslims in the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, a Romanesque-Byzantine church which houses the world's largest collection of mosaics, 4,000 square meters incorporating 41 million individual pieces.

On "the eve of a new millennium," said the Holy Father in his homily, and "as we look at the century we are leaving behind, we see that ... in order to be able to sing God's praises we must relearn the language of humility and trust, the language of moral integrity and of sincere commitment to all that is truly good in the sight of the Lord."

"At the end of this century, at once marked by unprecedented progress and by a tragic toll of human suffering," he stated, "radical changes in world politics leave America with a heightened responsibility to be for the world an example of a genuinely free, democratic, just and human society."

John Paul II affirmed that "from salvation history we learn that power is responsibility: it is service, not privilege. Its exercise is morally justifiable when it is used for the good of all, when it is sensitive to the needs of the poor and defenseless.

"There is another lesson here: God has given us a moral law to guide us and protect us from falling back into the slavery of sin and falsehood. ... The Ten Commandments are the charter of true freedom, for individuals as well as for society as whole."

He proclaimed that "America will remain a beacon of freedom for the world as long as it stands by those moral truths which are at the very heart of its historical experience. And so America: if you want peace, work for justice. If you want justice, defend life. If you want life, embrace the truth - the truth revealed by God."

At the end of the liturgy, the Holy Father crossed the basilica's central nave and went to the Holy Door, placing a seal on it which will be removed at the opening of the Jubilee Year 2000 celebrations.

Then, prior to leaving the cathedral for St. Louis Airport, John Paul II made concluding remarks of gratitude and appreciation to religious and civil officials, including U.S. Vice President Al Gore: "A few months ago a pilgrimage from St. Louis came to Rome. We met on the steps of St. Peter's where they sang to me 'Meet Me in St. Louis... meet me at the dome!' With God's help, we have done it."

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POPE DECRIES ABORTION, EUTHANASIA, AND DEATH PENALTY

VATICAN CITY, JAN 27, 1999 (VIS) - Pope John Paul II presided at a concelebrated votive Mass of the Sacred Heart of Jesus this morning in St. Louis' Trans World Dome, one of the largest covered stadiums in the United States, in the presence of a capacity crowd of 100,000 faithful.

The Pope highlighted that "through Jesus Christ we know how much the Father loves us. In Jesus Christ, by the gift of the Holy Spirit, each one of us can share in the love that is the life of the Blessed Trinity." God's love, he said, "is a love that saves. This is the love we find in the Heart of Jesus."

"St. Louis," he stated, "has been the Gateway to the West, but it also has been the gateway of great Christian witness and evangelical service." And the Pope cited the numerous religious congregations which "have labored for the Gospel," the work of the lay apostolate, "the charitable activities of every kind (which) have been a vibrant part of Catholic life," the "outstanding Catholic health care services" and the "Catholic schools (which) have proven to be of priceless value to generations of children."

From "this immense heritage of holiness and service ... you must draw inspiration and strength for the new evangelization so urgently needed at the approach of the Third Christian Millennium."

"As the new evangelization unfolds," John Paul II affirmed, "it must include special emphasis on the family and the renewal of Christian marriage. ... (It) must bring a fuller appreciation of the family as the primary and most vital foundation of society. ... As the family goes, so goes the nation!"

Today we celebrate the Gospel of God's love, he declared. "As believers, how can we fail to see that abortion, euthanasia and assisted suicide are a terrible rejection of God's gift of life and love?"

"The new evangelization calls for followers of Christ who are unconditionally pro-life. ... A sign of hope is the increasing recognition that the dignity of human life must never be taken away, even in the case of someone who has done great evil. Modern society has the means of protecting itself, without definitively denying criminals the chance to reform. I renew the appeal I made most recently at Christmas for a consensus to end the death penalty, which is both cruel and unnecessary."

He then highlighted another challenge facing the country: the need "to put an end to every form of racism, a plague which your bishops have called one of the most persistent and destructive evils of the nation."

John Paul II said in closing that "our Christian life can be seen as a great pilgrimage to the house of the Father, which passes through the door that is Jesus Christ. The key to that door is repentance and conversion. The strength to pass through that door comes from our faith and hope and love."

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JOHN PAUL II CONCLUDES 85TH FOREIGN PASTORAL TRIP

VATICAN CITY, JAN 28, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father arrived at St. Louis' Lambert International Airport at 6:30 last evening, where he was met by religious and civil authorities, including U.S. Vice President Al Gore and his wife, who were present for the farewell ceremony concluding the Pope's 85th foreign pastoral visit.

After greeting those present, John Paul II boarded a TWA Boeing 767 for the nine-hour, 8,324 kilometer trip back to Rome, where he arrived at 12:15 p.m. today.

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JAN 28, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Fr. Raul Antonio Martinez Paredes as bishop of Solola-Chimaltenango (area 2,372, population 675,300, Catholics 603,000, priests 51, religious 104), Guatemala. The bishop-elect was born in San Martin Jilotepeque, Guatemala, in 1943, was ordained a priest in 1987 and since 1997 has been diocesan administrator of Solola-Chimaltenango.

NER;...;...;MARTINEZ PAREDES ;VIS;19990128;Word: 60;

DECLARATION ON MEETING BETWEEN THE POPE AND PRESIDENT CLINTON

VATICAN CITY, JAN 26, 1999 (VIS) - The following is the joint communique from the White House and the Holy See Press Office following the meeting this afternoon between Pope John Paul II and U.S. President Bill Clinton at St. Louis Airport:

"His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, and President Bill Clinton had a private conversation that lasted about 20 minutes. The president thanked the Pope, on behalf of the American people, for his profound spiritual and moral guidance.

"The president and the Holy Father addressed some of the present challenges to peace and justice around the world and the ways in which mutual cooperation could bring an end to conflict and relief to suffering populations. Coming from Mexico, the Pope emphasized again the great need for continental, indeed global, solidarity, stressing the role of the U.S and its contribution in recent dramatic situations in Central America.

"The president expressed his admiration for the Pope's tireless endeavors to improve the lives of the poor and disadvantaged, especially in developing nations. The Pope stressed the importance of religious freedom, noting with satisfaction the determination of the U.S. to demand and foster this basic freedom.

"He likewise stated his views on other issues affecting human dignity, expressing the hope that the value of the human being will be defended and protected in all circumstances.

"Finally, President Clinton expressed appreciation for the positive role of the Holy See in international affairs and wished the Pope good health as he prepared the Church for the advent of its third millennium. The Holy Father spoke of the leading position of the United States in international matters and reaffirmed that the president and all the leaders of the United States were in his prayers."

Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls said that President Clinton and the Pope discussed the theme of the value of human life during the meeting, and particularly the problem of abortion, on which "the Holy See position is clear."

On international situations, Iraq was also mentioned, and "on this issue the Vatican position is sufficiently clear," added the Holy See Press Office director.

In answer to the question as to why the meeting between the Pontiff and the U.S president only lasted 20 minutes, Navarro-Valls answered that "their positions were truly clear and defined."

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POPE IN U.S.: I WISH TO ENCOURAGE NEW SENSE OF SOLIDARITY

VATICAN CITY, JAN 26, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father arrived at St. Louis' Lambert International Airport this afternoon at 1 p.m. local time, and was welcomed by civil and religious authorities, including U.S. President Bill Clinton, whom he has met on three previous occasions.

In his speech in English, the Pope recalled that the city's name "will be forever linked to the first transatlantic flight and to the immense human endeavor and daring behind the name, the 'Spirit of St. Louis'." As well, he said, the Dred Scott case was heard in St. Louis, in which the U.S. Supreme Court "subsequently declared an entire class of human beings - people of African descent - outside the boundaries of the national community and the Constitution's protection. After untold suffering and with enormous effort, that situation has, at least in part, been reversed."

"America faces a similar time of trial today," continued the pontiff. "Today the conflict is between a culture that affirms, cherishes and celebrates the gift of life, and a culture that seeks to declare entire groups of human beings - the unborn, the terminally ill, the handicapped, and others considered 'unuseful' - to be outside the boundaries of legal protection."

"My fervent prayer," he avowed, "is that ... America will resist the culture of death and choose to stand steadfastly on the side of life. To choose life ... involves rejecting every form of violence," including poverty, hunger, armed conflict, "the violence of particularly abhorrent weapons such as anti-personnel mines," drug trafficking and racism.

"Only a higher moral vision can motivate the choice for life," John Paul II stated. "And the values underlying that vision will greatly depend on whether the nation continues to honor and revere the family as the basic unity of society."

He thanked "the American people for the countless works of human goodness and solidarity" which characterize them, and entreated them: "Open wide your hearts to the ever increasing plight and urgent needs for our less fortunate brothers and sisters throughout the world."

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MAY MEXICO BE AN EXAMPLE FOR THE WORLD

VATICAN CITY, JAN 26, 1999 (VIS) - Following the celebration of Mass this morning at the apostolic nunciature in Mexico City, the Pope went to the airport where there was a farewell ceremony.

The Holy Father thanked all those who had cooperated in the realization of this pastoral visit. "My thanks become a prayer by invoking Heaven for the greatest blessings for this people which on so many occasions has shown faithfulness to God, to the Church and to Peter's Successor. For this reason, I lift my voice on high: May God bless you Mexico for the examples of humanity and faith of your peoples, and for your efforts in defending the family and life!"

"May God bless you Mexico, in your efforts to banish forever the struggles which divided your children, through fruitful and constructive dialogue. ... Only fraternal dialogue among all parties will give strength to plans for future reform, supported by citizens of good will, belonging to all creeds and various political and cultural sections (of society)."

John Paul II restated his "full confidence in the future of this people. A future in which Mexico, ever more evangelized and Christian, may be a country where democracy, ever more rooted and firm, more transparent and efficient, together with the happy and peaceful coexistence of her peoples, be always a reality under the tender gaze of her Queen and Mother, Our Lady of Guadalupe."

At the end of his speech, the Pontiff boarded the plane for a three and a half hour flight to St. Louis, U.S.A.

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ACADEMY TO STUDY FOOD NEEDS OF THE DEVELOPING WORLD

VATICAN CITY, JAN 27, 1999 (VIS) - The Pontifical Academy of Sciences has organized study sessions in the Vatican on the theme "Food Needs of the Developing World In the Early Twenty-First Century," which will take place from January 27 to 30.

The aim of this study week, according to a communique, is "to assess the current situation and trends in food production of the developing world and to project needs for the major food commodities in relation to the various resources essential to efficient production and equitable distribution processes. The time frame is between year 2000 and 2050."

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"YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD," POPE TELLS YOUTH

VATICAN CITY, JAN 26, 1999 (VIS) - "Tonight the Pope belongs to you," John Paul II told young people during an encounter with them in St. Louis' Keil Center sports complex on the theme "You are the light of the world."

Noting that Kiel Center is "where many people train long and hard in order to compete in different sports," the Pope reminded the youth that the stadium this evening has become a training ground "that will help you live your faith in Jesus more decisively."

"I am told," John Paul II continued, "that there was much excitement in St. Louis during the recent baseball season, when two great players, Mark McGuire and Sammy Sosa, were competing to break the home run record. You can feel the same enthusiasm as you train for a different goal: the goal of following Christ, the goal of bringing his message to the world. Each one of you belongs to Christ, and Christ belongs to you."

"'Let no one have contempt for youth'," the Holy Father said, citing the reading from the first Letter of Paul to Timothy. "(Paul) says this because youth is a marvelous gift from God. It is a time of special energies, special opportunities and special responsibilities. ... This is the time of your 'training'. ... Christ ... wants you - all of you - to be light to the world as only young people can be light. It is time to let your light shine!"

In the second part of his talk, following the Gospel reading, the Pope continued: "Sadly, too many people today are living apart from the light, in a world of illusions, a world of fleeting shadows and promises unfulfilled."

John Paul II reminded young people that, though they are no longer little children afraid of the dark, "already you realize that there is another kind of darkness in the world: the darkness of doubt and uncertainty, ... of loneliness and isolation. ... Sometimes the world itself seems full of darkness," the darkness of the hungry and homeless, of violence in all its forms. "There is something terribly wrong when so many young people are overcome by hopelessness to the point of taking their own lives. And already in parts of this nation, laws have been passed which allow doctors to end the lives of the very people they are sworn to help."

He exhorted the young people: "Do not listen to those who encourage you to lie, to shirk responsibility, to put yourselves first. Do not listen to those who tell you that chastity is passe. ... Do not be taken in by false values and deceptive slogans, especially about your freedom. True freedom is a wonderful gift from God. ... Freedom is not the ability to do anything we want, whenever we want. Rather, freedom is the ability to live responsibly the truth of our relationship with God and with one another."

To achieve this, the Pope concluded, to get to "truly and personally" know Christ, what is needed is prayer.

At the end of the meeting, the Pope consigned a Message to the children who are patients at the Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital. It said, in part: "You are all dear to my heart, even if I have not been able to see all of you today. I want the young boys and girls being taken care of at Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital and all sick children everywhere to know that the Pope prays for each one of you. You know how much Jesus loved children and how pleased he was to be with them. You too are very special to him."

PV-U.S.;YOUTH; SICK CHILDREN;...;ST LOUIS;VIS;19990127;Word: 610;

DECLARATION CONCERNING NEW MILITARY ATTACKS IN IRAQ

VATICAN CITY, JAN 25, 1999 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls, today made the following declaration in Mexico City, concerning the new military attacks in Iraq:

"This new incident confirms that which was already said by the Holy Father: Military means do not resolve problems, rather they make them worse."

OP;ATTACKS IRAQ;...;NAVARRO-VALLS;VIS;19990126;Word: 70;

OPEN THE HEART OF HUMANITY TO THE NEWNESS OF CHRIST

VATICAN CITY, JAN 25, 1999 (VIS) - The Pope this morning celebrated a private Mass at the nunciature in Mexico City and then at noon met and ate lunch with the cardinals and presidents of the 24 American episcopal conferences, and with his entourage.

At 4:30 p.m. he went by popemobile to Azteca Stadium, one of the largest in the world, with a capacity of 114,000 people. There he held a "meeting with generations." The Pope, surrounded by 13 cardinals from Latin America, was on a podium on a 360-degree rotating platform in the center of the stadium, thus allowing all present to have a frontal view of the papal stage.

The Pontiff gave a homily in two parts, alternating it with live link-ups from Honduras, the Dominican Republic, the United States, Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela and Peru.

In the first part of his homily, "The End of a Century and a Millennium in the Light of the Second Vatican Council," the Pope referred to the theme of this pastoral visit: "A Millennium is Approaching, Let's Reaffirm the Faith." He said: "The new era which is close at hand should lead to a strengthening of America's faith in Jesus Christ. ... Only faith in Christ brings about a culture opposed to selfishness and death."

"To you parents and grandparents here present, it is your duty to pass on well-rooted convictions of faith, Christian practices and healthy moral traditions to the new generations. In this way, the teachings of the last Council will help you."

The Pope said that our century "shows itself to be powerless in the face of millions of starving human beings; ... forsakes the promotion of moral values; ... passively contemplates the growing abyss between poor countries in debt and others which are strong and wealthy; it continues to ignore the intrinsic perversion and the terrible consequences of the 'culture of death'; it promotes ecology but ignores that the deep roots of all threats to nature are moral disorder and man's contempt for man."

"America, the land of Christ and Mary! You have the important role of building the new world that the Second Vatican Council wished to promote. You must commit yourselves so that truth prevails over all forms of lies, so that good overcomes evil, justice overcomes injustice and that honesty overcomes corruption."

In the second part of his speech, entitled "The 21st Century, Century of the New Evangelization and the Great Challenge of Young Christians," the Pontiff stated that "the person who has the Gospel as their guide and norm of life cannot remain passive, but must share and spread the light of Christ, even with their own sacrifices."

"You," he added, "have the mission of working so that new generations receive a solid Christian formation during their intellectual and cultural preparation (for life), in order to avoid that forceful progress closes them to the transcendent."

In this era of information technology and "powerful means of communication," the Pope presented especially to young people the challenge of "opening the minds and heart of humanity to the newness of Christ and the gratuity of God. It is only in this way that the risk of a world and a history without a soul will be distanced."

"In the Lord's name," he ended, "may you go decisively to evangelize your own surrondings so that they are more human and fraternal, in solidarity (with others) and more respectful of nature which has been entrusted to us. May the faith and ideals of life spread to all peoples of this continent, not with useless confrontation, but rather with the witness of your own lives."

Before concluding the meeting, the Pope said: "I learned today that an earthquake has caused many victims and numerous injured in Colombia. Let us show our love in solidarity with these brothers and sisters who suffer at this time. From here I wish to encourage all who are helping the victims. We are praying as well for the repose of the souls of those who lost ther lives."

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PRESENTATION OF NEW RITE OF EXORCISM

VATICAN CITY, JAN 26, 1999 (VIS) - Cardinal Jorge Arturo Medina Estevez, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, this morning presented at the Holy See Press Office the new rite of exorcism of the Roman Book of Rites.

Cardinal Medina began by stating that the person's capacity to welcome God is "blurred by sin, and at times evil occupies the place where God wishes to dwell. For this reason, Jesus Christ came to liberate the person from the dominion of evil and sin. ... Jesus Christ drove out demons and liberated people who were possessed with evil spirits to make space for him in that person."

"Exorcism is an old and particular form of prayer which the Church uses against the power of the devil." The Catechism of the Catholic Church (number 1673) explains that exorcism is directed at "the expulsion of demons or to the liberation from demonic possession through the spiritual authority which Jesus entrusted to his Church."

According to the rite of exorcism, continued the cardinal prefect, there are various criteria to know if we are dealing with demonic possession: "Speaking with a great number of words from unknown languages, or understanding them, making known things either distant or hidden, showing strength beyond one's situation, together with vehement aversion towards God, Our Lady, the Cross and holy pictures."

"To perform an exorcism," he stressed, "authorization from the diocesan bishop is required, which can be given for a specific case, or rather in a general and permanent way to the priest who has the ministry of exorcist in the diocese."

Cardinal Medina said the Roman Book of Rites contained in the last chapter the indications and liturgical text of the exorcisms, but "it had not been revised since Vatican Council II." After 10 years of work, the current text was approved by the Pontiff. Once the translations of the ritual are completed in different languages, they will be submitted "for the 'recognitio' of the Congregation for Divine Worship."

In the current book of rites there is "the rite of exorcism itself" and "the prayers which must be publicly recited ... when it is prudently deemed that there is an influence of Satan over places, objects or people, without having arrived at the phase of possession itself. In addition, there is a series of prayers which the faithful must pray privately when they believe that they are subject to demonic influences."

"Exorcism has its departure point in the faith of the Church, according to which Satan and other evil spirits exist. ... Catholic doctrine teaches us that demons are fallen angels as a result of their sin, and that they are spiritual beings with great intelligence and power."

The prefect of the congregation, recalling with the Catechism of the Catholic Church that "the power of Satan is not infinite," said however that God's allowing us to be tempted "is a great mystery."

In conclusion, he emphasized that "the harmful influence of the devil and his evil spirits is normally exercised through deception, falsehoods, lies and confusion. As Jesus is the Truth, the devil is the liar par excellence. Lies have always been, right from the beginning, his preferred strategy."

In answer to a question, Cardinal Medina explained that "there is great continuity between the old and the new rites, that there are no radical changes. The language is more somber and fewer adjectives are used; however, the expression of faith in the power of God to expel the devil is the same in both cases."

OP;RITE EXORCISM;...;MEDINA;VIS;19990126;Word: 600;

CELEBRATION OF THIRD WORLD DAY OF CONSECRATED LIFE VATICAN CITY, JAN 26, 1999 (VIS) - According to a communique issued today by the Office of the Lit

VATICAN CITY, JAN 26, 1999 (VIS) - According to a communique issued today by the Office of the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff, the Third World Day of Consecrated Life will be celebrated on February 2, feast of the Presentation of Our Lord, with a Eucharistic celebration at 5:30 p.m. in St. Peter's Basilica.

Pope John Paul will give the homily, lead the thanksgiving prayer to God for the gift of consecrated life and impart the final blessing. Cardinal Eduardo Martinez Somalo, prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, will preside at the Mass, which will be preceded by the blessing of candles and a procession.

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TELEGRAM FOR VICTIMS OF ACCIDENT IN AUSTRIA

VATICAN CITY, JAN 26, 1999 (VIS) - Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano sent a telegram on behalf of the Holy Father to Bishop Istvan Konkoly of Szombathely, Hungary, following the road accident yesterday in the Austrian region of Styria, in which 18 young Hungarians who were on a trip lost their lives.

In the telegram, the Pontiff expresses his sympathies to Bishop Konkoly, and to the parents and families of the deceased. "In praying for the eternal rest of the beloved deceased, he prays to the Lord for Christian hope and strength, and in faith in the resurrection of Christ, sends his comforting apostolic blessing."

TGR;ACCIDENT;...;HUNGARY; SODANO; KONKOLY ;VIS;19990126;Word: 120;

PAPAL INTERVIEW ABOARD PLANE EN ROUTE TO MEXICO

VATICAN CITY, JAN 22, 1999 (VIS) - Pope John Paul, as is his custom on long trips, spoke today with reporters aboard the plane which carried him to Mexico City. A transcript of much of that 20-minute interview was provided courtesy of Vatican Radio.

QUESTION: "How would you judge the evolution on the American continent during the past 20 years, as well as the continent's 'lights and shadows'?"

ANSWER: "I think that the revolution can also be seen through this American synod, with all of the Americas together: the north, center and the south, from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego. It was the first time ever for a pan-American synod. Some deliberated on the traditional categories of the contrasts between North and South, between the American North and the Latin South, the rich North, the poor South. These contradictions seem to have been overcome by all the bishops of America who worked together and gave America, from the North to the South, a common Christian dimension. "

Q: "How do you view these 20 years of transition in Mexico? What has changed since the first trip you made, (especially) now that there are (diplomatic) relations between Church and State? What are the Church's great challenges in the third millennium?

A: "I recall that (20 years ago) at the airport the priests were dressed in civilian clothing, because it was not possible to go around in clergyman's clothing, and they said that the Pope had broken the law. Things have changed, even diplomatic relations. I think that the Mexican people are not the same as 20 years ago.

Q: "The indigenous question is one of the most serious in Mexico. In Chiapas there is a situation of undeclared war. What solutions and hopes do you have for Chiapas and the indigenous peoples?

A: "Today certainly it seems that there is much thought of replacing the theology of liberation with indigenous theology, which would be another version of marxism. I think that the true solution can be found in solidarity. Chiapas is in the same place where first there was an Aztec city. They were the first land owners here, in these places, and they have their rights. Today there is a democratic constitutional state, the State has laws which must resolve the many problems of indigenous and non-indigenous (peoples) through dialogue."

Q: "What will your message be for President Clinton when you meet him in St. Louis?

A: "Twenty years later the situation is different. When I came for the first time, in Mexico there was still the situation between West and East, the Soviet bloc and the United States. Today this has changed. There is no longer this confrontation. After the fall of the Soviet Union, the United States remained alone. I don't now if this is good or bad, but this is how it is. I think that in this field the synod document tried to give an answer. The final document is the answer to this question (which) means, how do the United States see this new situation, the new world situation, not only their own?

Q: The Pope was asked to review the situation in Cuba one year after his trip.

A. "A year later, I am rather happy about this trip. For example, I will cite the fact that one fruit of this trip is that Christmas is now (a holiday) for all Catholics and citizens. It is a great step forward. There was also an invitation to stopover in Cuba. ... I think this trip to Cuba was important, perhaps the most important one last year."

Q: A reporter asked the Holy Father if he "still has enthusiasm for pastoral trips, after so many miles." If so, what countries would he like to visit.

A. "The biggest ones. First there was the USSR, now it is Russian, both European and Asian. Then there is China. So you see the world is not so small. We shall see, Certainly the Pope is older. I still have the will and availability."

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POST-SYNODAL APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION "ECCLESIA IN AMERICA"

VATICAN CITY, JAN 23, 1999 (VIS) - Pope John Paul's Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, "Ecclesia in America," signed and dated yesterday afternoon in the apostolic nunciature in Mexico City, was formally turned over to the bishops and people of the continent during this morning's Mass at the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in conclusion to the synod for America.

The 140-page document, whose title means "The Church in America," was published in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and Latin. It is divided into an introduction, six chapters and a conclusion.
In the Introduction, the Holy Father reviewed the path of the Special Assembly for America of the Synod of Bishops, which took place in the Vatican from November 16 to December 12, 1997. He recalled that he had proposed such a synod both at the 1992 Fourth General Assembly of the Latin American Episcopate and again in 1994 in the Apostolic Letter "Tertio Millennio Adveniente."

Saying that the past - the celebration of the fifth centenary of the evangelization of America - and the future - the new evangelization of the third millennium - both provided the backdrop for this assembly, the Pope highlighted the synod's theme, "Encounter with the Living Jesus Christ: The Way to Conversion, Communion and Solidarity in America" as well as its "experience of encounter."

He also stressed the unity of the continent by speaking of "America" in the singular: "I asked that the Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops reflect on America as a single entity, by reason of all that is common to the peoples of the continent, including their shared Christian identity."

Chapter I is entitled "The Encounter with the Living Jesus Christ." Here, the Pope looks at "Encounters with the Lord in the New Testament," "Personal encounters and community encounters," "Encountering Christ in the time of the Church," and "We encounter Jesus through Mary."

In this section on Mary, whom he calls "the spokeswoman of her Son's will," the Holy Father speaks of her appearance to Juan Diego in 1531, leading to the now centuries-old devotion to the Virgin of Guadalupe. And he writes: "I welcome with joy the proposal of the Synod Fathers that the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother and Evangelizer of America, be celebrated throughout the continent on December 12."

Concluding Chapter I, we have "Places of encounter with Christ." These places, he says, include Scripture, the liturgy, especially the sacrament of the Eucharist, and our encounter with Christ in "the persons, especially the poor, with whom Christ identifies himself."

In Chapter II, "Encountering Jesus Christ in America Today," The Pope traces the situation of the men and women in America and their encounter with the Lord, the Christian identity of America, and the fruits of holiness as seen in the continent's many saints. He writes: "The Synod Fathers proposed - and I find this a very timely initiative - that there be prepared a 'collection of short biographies of the Saints and the Beatified of America, which can shed light on and stimulate the response to the universal call to holiness in America'."

In this same chapter John Paul II also looks at a number of other topics, including some problematic areas for the continent, which he further develops and for which he suggests remedies in Chapter V, "The Path to Solidarity."
Among these topics: popular piety, the Eastern Catholic presence, the Church in the fields of education and social action, growing respect for human rights, the phenomenon of globalization, growing urbanization, the burden of external debt, corruption, the drug trade and ecological concern.

In that section dedicated to human rights; Pope John Paul says: "Among the positive aspects of America today, we see in civil society a growing support throughout the continent for democratic political systems and the gradual retreat of dictatorial regimes; this has immediate moral implications. ... 'The rule of law is the necessary condition for establishing true democracy'. There can be no rule of law, however, unless citizens and especially leaders are convinced that there is no freedom without truth. ... 'The fundamental rights of the human person are inscribed in human nature itself, they are willed by God and therefore call for universal observance and acceptance."

In Chapter III, "The Path of Conversion," the Pope examines the urgency of the call to conversion, its social dimension, the need for conversion to be ongoing and for the faithful to be guided by the Holy Spirit to a new way of living. He also looks at the universal call to holiness, Jesus as the one way to holiness and penance and reconciliation. In this last part, he reiterated the Synod Fathers' request "that priests give the necessary time to the sacrament of Penance, and strongly and insistently invite the faithful to receive the sacrament."

In the part on the social dimension of conversion, John Paul II writes: "It is most important, especially in a pluralistic society, to understand correctly the relationship between the political community and the Church, and to distinguish clearly between what individual believers or groups of believers undertake in their own name ... and what they do in the name of the Church, in communion with their Pastors. ... The Church ... can in no way be confused with the political community nor be tied to any political system."

"The Path to Communion" is the title of Chapter IV. This is divided into sections dedicated to: the Church, sacrament of communion; Baptism and the Eucharist; bishops as builders of communion; communion between particular Churches and fraternal communion with the Eastern Catholic Churches; priesthood, consecrated life and permanent diaconate; promoting vocations; the lay faithful; women; challenges facing families; children and young people; relations with other Christian Churches and ecclesial communities, with Jewish communities and with non-Christian religions.

The Pope stresses the "value of a communion transcending the individual conferences of bishops," and suggested that "it would be helpful to specify more exactly the nature" of inter-American gatherings and "to establish special commissions to explore more deeply issues which concern America as a whole."

On the role of the laity, he says: "The renewal of the Church in America will not be possible without the active presence of the laity. ... On a continent marked by competition and aggressiveness, unbridled consumerism and corruption, lay people are called to embody deeply evangelical values such as mercy, forgiveness, honesty, transparency of heart and patience in difficult situations. ... A good number of lay people in America legitimately aspire to contribute their talents and charisms 'to the building of the ecclesial community as delegates of the word, catechists, visitors to the sick and the imprisoned, group leaders, etc.'() The Synod Fathers expressed the hope that the Church would recognize some of these works as lay ministries, with a basis in the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, without compromising the specific ministries proper to the Sacrament of Orders. This is a large and complex issue and some time ago I established a Commission to study it."

In the section "Leading children to encounter Christ," the Holy Father recalls that "the Synod Fathers rightly deplored and condemned the painful condition of many children throughout America who are denied their dignity, their innocence and even their life. ... Special mention was made ... of the problem of the sexual abuse of children and child prostitution."

Chapter V, "The Path to Solidarity," focusses on solidarity as the fruit of communion, and the Church's social doctrine vis-a-vis: the globalization of solidarity; human rights; preferential love for the poor and the outcast; foreign debt; the fight against corruption; the drug problem; the arms race; the culture of death and a society dominated by the powerful; discrimination against indigenous peoples and Americans of African descent and the question of immigrants.

Of the Church's social doctrine, the Holy Father writes: "To this end, it would be very useful to have a compendium or approved synthesis of Catholic social doctrine, including a 'Catechism' which would show the connection between it and the new evangelization."

A section of this chapter is dedicated to "the social sins which cry to heaven ... Among these must be mentioned: 'the drug trade, the recycling of illicit funds, corruption at every level, the terror of violence, the arms race, racial discrimination, inequality between social groups and the irrational destruction of nature. These sins are the sign of a deep crisis caused by the loss of a sense of God and the absence of those moral principles which should guide the life of every person. ... The best response to this tragic situation is the promotion of solidarity and peace, with a view to achieving real justice. ... Encouragement and support must be given to all those who are examples of honesty in the administration of public finances and of justice."

In the section on the foreign debt, John Paul II says: "Once more I express the hope, which the Synod Fathers made their own, that the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace together with other competent agencies, such as the Section for Relations with States of the Secretariat of State, 'through study and dialogue with representatives of the First World and with the leaders of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, will seek ways of resolving the problem of the foreign debt and produce guidelines that would prevent similar situations from recurring on the occasion of future loans'."

This chapter embraces a strong defense of life and decries the death penalty, abortion, assisted suicide and euthanasia.

The sixth and final chapter is entitled "The Mission of the Church in America Today: The New Evangelization." Saying that "the Church in America must speak increasingly of Jesus Christ, the human face of God and the divine face of man," this chapter highlights the importance of catechesis and the need to evangelize culture and centers of education. In the part on evangelization through the media, the Pope states: "On this point, the Synod Fathers suggested a range of concrete initiatives to make the Gospel effectively present in the world of social communications."

Chapter VI also looks at the challenge of sects and says, in this regard: "The success of proselytism by sects and new religious groups in America cannot be ignored. It demands of the Church on the continent a thorough study, to be carried out in each nation and at the international level, to ascertain why many Catholics leave the Church. ... To this end, it is more necessary than ever for all the faithful to move from a faith of habit, sustained perhaps by social context alone, to a faith which is conscious and personally lived."

Pope John Paul expresses "hope and gratitude" in the Conclusion and ends with a prayer to Jesus Christ for the families of America.

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MAY THE CONTINENT OF HOPE BE THE CONTINENT OF LIFE

VATICAN CITY, JAN 23, 1999 (VIS) - The Pope this morning celebrated Mass in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe of Mexico City, the largest Marian shrine in the world, where he closed the Synod of Bishops for America. Concelebrants included 500 cardinals, arcbishops and bishops and 5,000 priests.

"Today in this Basilica of Guadalupe, the Marian heart of America," he said in his homily, "we give thanks to God for the Special Assembly for America of the Synod of Bishops, ... lived with the Bishop of Rome as a fraternal experience of meeting the Risen Lord, a path to conversion, communion and solidarity in America."

John Paul II said that he had come to Mexico "to place the Apostolic Exhortation 'Ecclesia in America' at the feet of the 'mestiza' Virgin of Tepayac, Star of the New World, who gathers together the pastoral findings and suggestions of the synod, entrusting to the Mother and Queen of this continent, the future of evangelization."

Having spoken in Portuguese and French, the Pope then said in English: "The Church must proclaim the Gospel of life and speak out with prophetic force against the culture of death. May the continent of hope also be the continent of life! This is our cry: life with dignity for all!"

"The time has come," he said, "to banish once and for all from the continent every attack against life. No more violence, terrorism and drug-trafficking! No more torture or other forms of abuse! There must be an end to the unnecessary recourse to the death penalty! No more exploitation of the weak or racial discrimination or ghettoes of poverty! Never again!"

The Holy Father ended his homily in Spanish: "I wish to entrust and offer the future of this continent to Mary Most Holy, Mother of Christ and of the Church. For this reason, I have the joy of announcing here that I have declared that December 12 be celebrated as a liturgical feast in the whole of America in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe."

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PROCLAIM JESUS CHRIST WITH RENEWED ZEAL

VATICAN CITY, JAN 22, 1999 (VIS) - Following a 13-hour flight from Rome, the Pope arrived this afternoon at Mexico City International Airport. "God willing," he said, "may this visit which begins today encourage all to make a generous effort to proclaim Jesus Christ with renewed zeal before the new millennium which is close at hand."

Having greeted President Ernesto Zedillo Ponce of the United Mexican States, and through him the entire Mexican people, the Pope said that the main aim of his fourth pastoral visit to Mexico is to present tomorrow in the Basilica of Guadalupe, "together with bishops from the whole American continent, the fruit of the Synod held in Rome over a year ago."

"I arrive in a country where the Catholic faith was basis for intermarriage between native Mexicans and Spaniards and which transformed former ethnic and antagonistic plurality into fraternal unity and common destiny. It is therefore not possible to understand Mexico without the faith brought from Spain to these lands."

"I arrive in a country," he added, "whose history encompasses ... three realities ...: the ancient and rich sensitivity of indigenous peoples; ... Christianity rooted in the soul of the Mexican people; and modern rationality, of European influence, which has so wished to extol independence and freedom."

In conclusion, he said; "I will ask Our Lady of Guadalupe, at the end of a fruitful and turbulent century, that the next might be a millennium in which Mexico, America and the whole world have secure paths of fraternity and peace ahead of them."

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NTIMATE RELATION EXISTS BETWEEN THE CROSS OF CHRIST AND PAIN

VATICAN CITY, JAN 24, 1999 (VIS) - John Paul II this afternoon visited the sick at the regional Dr. Adolfo Lopez Mateos Hospital in Mexico City. Having greeted the sick people individually, he gave a message to Bishop Jose Lizares Estrada, president of the Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Healthcare Workers, in which he reflects on the value of pain in the context of the redeeming work of Christ.

"People," writes the Pope in the message read to the sick, "are called to joy and happiness, but daily experience many forms of pain, and illness is the most frequent and most common expression of human suffering. In the face of this situation, one spontaneously asks: "Why do we suffer? For what reason do we suffer? Does it mean anything that people suffer? Can the experience of physical or moral pain be a positive one?"

"For Christians, these are not questions which have no answer. Pain is a mystery. ... It is part of the mystery of the human person, which only becomes clear in Jesus Christ. ... The person finds the answer in so far as they partake in the sufferings of Christ."

This partaking in the life of Christ "carries with it the sharing in his pain." There is an "intimate relationship between the Cross of Jesus - the symbol of supreme pain and the price of our true freedom - and our pain, suffering, affliction, difficulties and torment which can weigh down our souls or take root in our bodies."

The Holy Father states that "we are never alone faced with the mystery of suffering. We live this with Christ, who gives meaning to our whole lives: in moments of joy and peace, as well as in moments of affliction and difficulty. With Christ all has meaning, including suffering and death; without Him, nothing is fully explained, even legitimate pleasures which God has brought together with various times in human life."

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DO NOT LET THE LIGHT OF FAITH BE EXTINGUISHED!

VATICAN CITY, JAN 24, 1999 (VIS) - John Paul II celebrated Mass this morning at the Hermanos Rodriguez speedway in Mexico City, in the presence of well over 1 million people, and invited the faithful not to "let the light of faith be extinguished. Mexico continues to need it to be able to build a more just and fraternal society, in solidarity with all those who have nothing and who hope for a better future."

"May the word of Christ reach those who have not yet heard it! May you have the courage to give witness to the Gospel in the streets and squares, in the valleys and mountains of this nation! Promote the new evangelization, following the guidelines of the Church."

Having evoked the Church's call to conversion, which "becomes more pressing in this time of preparation for the Great Jubilee," the Pope said: "The entire Church must begin the new millennium by helping her children to purify themselves of sin and evil. May she extend her horizons of holiness and faithfulness so as to partake in the grace of Christ."

The Holy Father reminded all, particularly young people, of Christ's invitation to follow him: "Be generous, don't stop answering the Master who is calling. Follow him so as to be, like the apostles, fishers of men." He encouraged parents to be "the first in nourishing the seed of vocation in their children" and bringing them up according to the principles of the Gospel.

Lastly, he entrusted the young people of Mexico and the crusade for life to the protection of Our Lady of Guadalupe. "I entrust to her intercession the poor with their needs and wishes. Before her, with her 'mestizo' face, I lay the desires and hopes of the indigenous peoples with their own culture who hope to obtain their legitimate aspirations and the development to which they have a right. I also entrust the Afro-Americans to her care."

After Mass and before praying the Angelus, the Pontiff said that tomorrow will mark the end of the Week for Prayer for Christian Unity. "Reaching full communion among all believers in Christ is a constant aim of the Church, asking the Father with renewed fervor in preparation for the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 that the desire of Christ that they might all be one, might become a reality."

"I have learned with sadness," he added, "of the barbarous assassination of Sr. Maria Aloysius of the Missionaries of Charity, in Sierra Leone, and of the worrisome information about episodes of great violence against the Church in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo. No motive can justify the fierce rage against persons and institutions which for years have worked in favor of the good of everyone. Let us pray that the Lord will inspire in everyone sentiments worthy of man, who was created in the image and likeness of God."

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HUMAN HISTORY CANNOT GO AGAINST THE PERSON

VATICAN CITY, JAN 23, 1999 (VIS) - This evening, following a courtesy visit to the president of the republic at his Los Pinos residence, the Pope met with the diplomatic corps.

John Paul II reminded ambassadors that "the Church, faithful to her mission received from her Founder, tirelessly proclaims that the human person must be the focus of all civil and social order, and of all technical and economic systems of development. Human history cannot go against the person."

When on the level of international relations "priority is given to the economy over human values, thus weakening them, freedom and democracy suffer."

The Holy Father said that America will be the continent of hope if "the human communities which compose it, as well as its ruling class, accept a common ethical basis. ... America and the whole of humanity need essential points of reference for all citizens and politicians."

The intangible principles sanctioned by the Ten Commandments "are an obligation for both individuals and societies. These principles and others similar to them must be a dyke against all attempts on life, from the beginning up to its natural end; against wars which are spreading and the use of arms as instruments of destruction; against corruption; ... against the invasive abuse of private life on the part of authorities who approve of forced sterilization or laws which diminish the right to life; against misleading publicity campaigns which condition the truth; ... against monopolies which try to nullify healthy initiatives; ... against the abuse of drugs."

Having highlighted that little attention has been paid to moral principles during this century, the Pope emphasized that "instead of seeing them later violated, their ethical, morally binding strength must be consolidated in the new century and millennium."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JAN 25, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Appointed Bishop Antonio Vitalino Fernandez Dantas, O.Carm., auxiliary of the patriarchate of Lisbon, as bishop of Beja (area 12,300, population 226,000, Catholics 190,000, priests 57, religious 94), Portugal. He succeeds Bishop Manuel Franco da Costa de Oliveira Falcao, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Beja was accepted by the Holy Father upon having reached the age limit.

- Appointed Bishop Paul S. Loverde of Ogdensburg, as bishop of Arlington (area 16,935, population 2,115,700, Catholics 311,351, priests 218, religious 289), United States of America.

- Appointed Fr. Philippe Ranaivomanana, as bishop of Ihosy (area 40,990, population 321,500, Catholics 32,500, priests 31, religious 70), Madagascar. The bishop-elect was born in Sarobatra, Madagascar, in 1949, was ordained a priest in 1977, and since 1996 has been vicar general of the diocese of Ansirabe.

On Saturday January 23, it was made public that the Holy Father appointed Bishop Salvatore Gristina, auxiliary of Palermo, as bishop of Acireale (area 665, population 219,578, Catholics 218,323, priests 184, religious 397), Italy.

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TRIP TO MEXICO AND U.S. IS POPE'S 85TH FOREIGN VISIT

VATICAN CITY, JAN 22, 1999 (VIS) - When he departed Rome's Fiumicino Airport at 9 a.m. today for the 10,702 kilometer flight to Mexico City for the closing of the Synod for America, Pope John Paul started his 85th pastoral trip outside of Italy, returning to the country where he made his first foreign trip as Pope.

This is the Holy Father's fourth trip to Mexico. He first visited in late January 1979. Between his second trip in May 1990 and his third in August of 1993, diplomatic relations were established between the Holy See and Mexico at the level of apostolic nunciature for the former and of embassy for the latter. These were announced on September 21, 1992. Previous relations between the two had been established in 1864, but broken off unilaterally by Mexico in 1867.

Mexico has a population of 96 million, of which 89 million, or 92 percent, are Catholics. There are 83 ecclesiastical circumscriptions, 5,462 parishes and 4,359 pastoral centers. These are served by 119 bishops (to which must be added bishop-elect Fernando Chavez Ruvalcaba, named on January 20), 13,141 priests (9,686 diocesan and 3,455 religious), 8,093 religious and 103,875 catechists. There are currently 6,058 minor seminarians and 7,519 major seminarians.

A total of 970,383 students attend Catholic schools in Mexico, including the 3,037 primary and elementary schools, 2,990 middle and secondary and 175 institutes of higher learning.

The archdiocese of Mexico was founded in 1530, a year before the five apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe to two Indians, Juan Diego and his uncle, Juan Bernardino. The shrine bearing her name attracts an average of 20 million pilgrims a year. Our Lady of Guadalupe was named patroness of Mexico in 1737, of the Americas in 1910 and of the Philippines in 1935. For this reason, there are 24 flags representing the Philippines and various countries of the Americas in front of the basilica. Juan Diego was beatified during a Eucharistic celebration in the new basilica on May 6, 1990.

Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera was named archbishop of Mexico in 1995. He was created a cardinal in the consistory of February 1998.
The second leg of Pope John Paul's trip starts on January 26 when he arrives in the U.S. archdiocese of St. Louis. He has been to the United States on six previous occasions: 1979, 1981, 1984, 1987, 1993 for World Youth Day in Denver and in October 1995 when he spoke at the United Nations and visited several dioceses on the U.S. East Coast.

At the end of 1997 the U.S. population was 266,490,000, of which 61,207,914 or 23 percent are Catholics. Ecclesiastical circumscriptions include 34 archdioceses and 157 dioceses, in which there are 19,677 parishes. There are 11 American cardinals (of whom three work in the Roman Curia), 62 archbishops, 377 bishops, 48,097 priests, 93,937 religious and 11,785 permanent deacons.

This is the Holy Father's first visit to St. Louis, which was founded in 1764. The diocese was established in 1826 and raised to the level of metropolitan church in 1847. It covers an area of 15,451 square kilometers and has a population of 2,094,579, of whom 27 percent, or 586,300, are Catholics. There are 239 parishes and 177 churches or missionary stations served by 475 diocesan priests, 408 religious priests and 2,909 religious.

Archbishop Justin Rigali became archbishop of St. Louis in 1994. He had previously worked for many years at the Secretariat of State, including a period as president of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, the curial office which trains Vatican diplomats, and had been secretary of the Congregation for Bishops up to this current appointment.

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THE POPE DEPARTS FOR MEXICO CITY

VATICAN CITY, JAN 22, 1999 (VIS) - The Pope left Rome's Fiumicino airport at 9:00 a.m. for Mexico, where he is due to arrive at 3:15 p.m. local time (10:15 p.m Rome time). Following a welcome ceremony at Mexico City International Airport, John Paul II will leave for the Apostolic Nunciature, where he will sign the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation of the Special Assembly for America, and will spend the night.

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JAN 22, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Archbishop Faustino Sainz Munoz, apostolic nuncio in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as apostolic nuncio to the European Communities.

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MARRIAGE ESSENTIALLY DIFFERS FROM DE FACTO UNIONS

VATICAN CITY, JAN 21, 1999 (VIS) - The Pope this morning received prelate auditors, officials and lawyers from the Tribunal of the Roman Rota in the Clementine Hall on the occasion of the opening of the judicial year. The focus of the Pontiff's speech was on the analysis of the nature of marriage and its essential connotations in the light of natural law.

Having highlighted "the widespread deterioration of the natural and religious meaning of marriage," John Paul II stated that today "the very value and utility of the institution" are doubted. "Thus it is not possible to ignore the growing phenomenon of simple de facto unions and the insistent public opinion campaigns whose aim is to obtain conjugal dignity for unions including those between persons of the same sex."

"Conjugal love is not above all based on feelings, it is rather a commitment to the other person, which is accepted with a precise act of will. It is exactly this which qualifies this love, making it conjugal. Once the commitment is made and accepted by consent, love becomes conjugal, and never loses this character."

With the simulation of consent, the marriage rite acquires a purely exterior value, which does not correspond to "a reciprocal gift of love, of exclusive, indissoluble and fertile love. How can one fail to be astonished if a marriage of this kind is doomed to failure?"

"In the light of these principles, the essential difference existing between a mere de facto union - even if claimed to be founded on love - and marriage in which love means not only a moral but also a rigorously juridical commitment, can be established and understood." In the same way, "the pretense of attributing a 'conjugal' reality to the union of persons of the same sex is also revealed as being incongruous."

The Pope concluded by highlighting that "only in the union of two people of the opposite sex can the individual be fulfilled, in a synthesis of unity and mutual psycho-physical complementarity. In this perspective, love is not an end in itself, and is not reduced to the bodily meeting of two beings, but is rather a deep interpersonal relationship, which reaches its summit in full reciprocal giving, cooperating with God the Creator, the ultimate source of all new human life."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JAN 21, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father today appointed Archbishop Pier Giacomo de Nicolo, apostolic nuncio in Syria, as apostolic nuncio in Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

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AUDIENCE

VATICAN CITY, JAN 21, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received Cardinal Johannes Willebrands, president emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

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APPEAL FOR PEACE IN KOSOVO AND SIERRA LEONE

VATICAN CITY, JAN 20, 1999 (VIS) - At the end of today's general audience in the Paul VI Hall, Pope John Paul remarked that "peace is still threatened in so many parts of the world. In these days, fierce and merciless manifestations are taking place, in particular in Kosovo and Sierra Leone."

He continued: "We ask God with renewed trust that where there is hate, there might be an outpouring of God's mercy, reawakening the consciences of all those who guide the future of peoples and encouraging all to work for peace.

"A particular thought of closeness and solidarity goes to the archbishop of Freetown and to missionaries who are being held hostage by combatants in Sierra Leone, in spite of their untiring devoted service to the people in that African country. I call on all responsible, so that they might be set free as soon as possible to continue their mission of evangelization and charity."

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AUDIENCE: THE "FATHERHOOD" OF GOD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

VATICAN CITY, JAN 20, 1999 (VIS) - At today's general audience held in the Paul VI Hall, the Holy Father spoke on the theme of "The 'Fatherhood' of God in the Old Testament."

The Pope said that "Israel recognized divine fatherhood from the sense of wonder in the face of creation and the gift of life."

"The respect which Israelite society demanded for parents led them to see God as a demanding father. In fact, Mosaic law is very strict with children who do not obey their parents, to the point of having the death penalty for whoever might strike or speak badly of their father or mother."

John Paul II recalled that "God, in saving Israel from slavery in Egypt, calls it to enter into a relationship of covenant with Him and even to considering itself his first born. ... Israel was obliged to observe a law which distinguished it from other peoples, to whom it should bear witness to divine fatherhood which it experienced in a special way."

"Divine fatherhood for Israel is characterized by an intense, constant and compassionate love. In spite of the infidelities of the people and the ensuing threats of punishment, God reveals himself as being able to continue to love them."

Likewise, "a fatherhood so divine and at the same time so 'human' in the way in which it is expressed, includes in itself the characteristics which are normally associated with motherly love. ... The divine attitude towards Israel is expressed with motherly gestures, which express tenderness and goodness."

In his greetings to pilgrims in different languages, the Holy Father asked for prayers to Our Lady of Guadalupe before his forthcoming trip to Mexico, "so that she might guide the steps of the new evangelization among the peoples of Hispanic language and culture."

Finally, having recalled that we are celebrating the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, he invited all "to participate with prayer and concrete commitment to the cause of full communion between believers in Christ."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JAN 20, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Appointed Bishop Javier Navarro Rodriguez, auxiliary of Guadalajara, as bishop of San Juan de los Lagos (area 12,000, population 962,756, Catholics 960,104, priests 242, religious 537), Mexico. He succeeds Bishop Jose Trinidad Sepulveda Ruiz-Velasco, whose resignation from the pastoral care of this diocese was accepted by the Holy Father on having reached the age limit.

- Appointed Fr. Giuliano Frigeni, P.I.M.E., as bishop of Parintins (area 75,654, population 168,000, Catholics 159,000, priests 17, religious 37), Brazil. The bishop-elect was born in Bergamo, Italy, in 1947, made his vows in 1974, was ordained a priest in 1975, and in 1996 was elected regional councillor of the P.I.M.E. for the north of Brazil.

- Appointed Fr. Fernando Chavez Ruvalcaba, as bishop of Zacatecas (area 59,000, population 1,064,196, Catholics 985,000, priests 181, religious 416), Mexico. The bishop-elect was born in Zacatecas, Mexico, in 1932, was ordained in 1961, and since 1997 has been diocesan administrator of this same diocese.

- Appointed Bishop Luis Morales Reyes of Torreon, as archbishop of San Luis Potosi (area 27,333, population 1,899,000, Catholics 1,737,000, priests 260, religious 799), Mexico. The archbishop-elect was born in Churumuco, Mexico, in 1936, was ordained a priest in 1962, was consecrated a bishop in 1976 and since 1990 has been bishop of Torreon. He succeeds Archbishop Arturo Antonio Szymanski Ramirez, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the archdiocese was accepted by the Holy Father, on having reached the age limit.

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BLESSING OF BABY LAMBS FOR FEAST OF ST. AGNES

VATICAN CITY, JAN 19, 1999 (VIS) - This morning in the Sala del Tronetto, or Little Throne Room, Pope John Paul blessed two baby lambs whose wool will be used to make the palliums to be bestowed on new metropolitan archbishops in St. Peter's on the June 29th feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles.

For centuries lambs have been blessed each year by the pontiff on the January 21 feast of St. Agnes, for whom the traditional symbol is a lamb. This virgin-martyr died about 350 and is buried in the basilica named for her on Rome's Via Nomentana.

The lambs are raised by the Trappist Fathers of the Abbey of the Three Fountains and, when shorn, their wool is made into the palliums by the Sisters of St. Cecelia.

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PRIESTS SHOULD BE WITNESSES OF TRUE RENEWAL

VATICAN CITY, JAN 19, 1999 (VIS) - John Paul II today received, as he does every year on or near the January 21 feast of St. Agnes, their patron, the rector and students from the Roman diocesan seminary "Almo Collegio Capranica."

"Agnes, virgin and martyr," said the Pope, "made her very life an 'eloquent and attractive example of a life completely transfigured by the splendor of moral truth' and for this reason, she was able to 'light up every period of history, by reawakening its moral sense'. Her example has encouraged so many believers to follow in her footsteps throughout the centuries. Your College has very appropriately chosen her as its patron saint, and you also see her as a model to imitate."

Later, referring to the Jubilee, he said: "This event should be approached with a renewed heart. It is up to priests, in the first place, to be witnesses and apostles of a true renewal in their personal lives and in their communities."

The Holy Father ended by saying that "the world is waiting for the total commitment and holiness of life of those whom the Lord calls to his close service. May this be your primary concern."

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LENT, AN INVITATION TO GIVE WITNESS TO DIVINE CHARITY

VATICAN CITY, JAN 19, 1999 (VIS) - Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes, president of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum," this morning presented at the Holy See Press Office the Holy Father's message for Lent 1999: "The Lord will prepare a banquet for all peoples."

Archbishop Cordes made reference to that part of the message in which the Pope speaks of the areas in which the Church has given witness to the love of God: "The commitment to the promotion of human dignity, the fight against hunger, under-development, ignorance, violence, desperation and the exclusion of others."

The charity of God, continued the archbishop, should be seen on a daily basis, for example, with "elderly and abandoned neighbors, exiles and refugees, the terminally ill, even those who clean windows at street corners. Lent is a concrete opportunity for seeing to their problems, seeking moments each day to act prudently and efficiently as Christians, without being closed to others, but also without simplification."

He then spoke of the Cor Unum project in Italy, "Panis Caritatis," which began last year. This program is based on the sale of a type of bread, from which a percentage is destined to the Holy Father's charitable initiatives. Practically speaking, "the first donation for the first three months totalled 500 million lira ($300,000), of which $100,000 was allocated to a diocese in the Great Lakes region for the construction of ovens for bread. Another $50,000 will be sent to the diocese of Hoima, in Uganda, for a relief program for Sudanese refugees."

The Cor Unum president announced, in concluding, that on May 16, the Pope will celebrate Mass in St. Peter's Square for all those involved in charity work, particularly for Catholic volunteers. "This is a singular event, and the first of its kind."

Another of Cor Unum's initiatives, explained Msgr. Frank Dewane, is the "100 Projects of the Holy Father." He said that the council proposed these 100 micro-projects, bearing in mind that "this last year of preparation for the Great Jubilee, 1999, is dedicated to God the Father, with special emphasis on the theological virtue of charity."

Msgr. Dewane pointed out that these projects, which in reality number 223 and cost on the average of between US$5-20,000 each, are on-going and should be completed by the end of this year. They are being financed in part by Catholic aid and assistance organizations (62 projects) and by the dioceses of economically developed countries (161).

The 223 projects are distributed geographically as follows: Africa 64; Latin America 40, Asia, 37, Europe 35, Central America 18, Middle East 18, North America 6, the Pacific 5.

Msgr. Dewane stated that Cor Unum has raised, within the dioceses, $2.8 million (Euros 2,443,300) for the 161 projects: North American dioceses 52 percent, Europe 45 percent and the Pacific 3 percent. Fifteen dioceses support more than one of the projects.

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TELEGRAM UPON THE DEATH OF LUTHERAN THEOLOGIAN

VATICAN CITY, JAN 19, 1999 (VIS) - The following is the telegram sent by John Paul II to Professor Marc Lienhard, president of the Lutheran Church of Alsace, France, for the death of Professor Oscar Cullmann, one of the major Protestant theologians of this century:

"Having learned with great sadness the news of the death of Professor Oscar Cullmann, I share in the sorrow of those close to him and of those who benefitted from his teaching and enlightened counsel. His unwavering faith and his commitment to theology and ecumenism during this century will remain a path to follow for Christians. I have a living recollection of his active participation in the Second Vatican Council during which he facilitated a renewal of ecumenical dialogue and fraternal relations between Christian communities. I entrust him to Christ the Savior whom he wished to know and serve all through his life, asking him to welcome him in his Kingdom and give to those who are in mourning the comfort of his blessings."

TGR;DEATH CULLMANN;...;LIENHARD;VIS;19990119;Word: 180;

"THE LORD WILL PREPARE A BANQUET FOR ALL PEOPLES"

VATICAN CITY, JAN 19, 1999 (VIS) - Made public today was Pope John Paul's Lenten Message for 1999, written on the theme "The Lord will prepare a banquet for all peoples." It was published in English, Spanish, French, Italian, German and Portuguese.

The Pontifical Council Cor Unum has, in recent years, assumed the responsibility of publishing this annual Message which the Pope, since 1973, has addressed to the universal Church.

Following are excerpts:

"The Lord will prepare a banquet for all peoples. These words which inspire the present Lenten Message lead us first to reflect upon the gracious providence of the Heavenly Father towards all men and women. "

"Lent is the favorable time to offer to the Lord sincere thanks for the wonders he has done for humanity in every age, and especially in the Redemption when he did not spare his own Son."

"The Lenten journey prepares us for the celebration of Christ's Passover, the mystery of our salvation. Anticipating this mystery, there is the banquet which the Lord celebrates with his disciples on Holy Thursday, offering himself under the signs of bread and wine."

"The banquet is a sign of joy, because in it we see the intense communion of all who take part. ... Many of our brothers and sisters can bear their situation of misery, discomfort and sickness only because they are certain that one day they will be called to the eternal banquet of heaven."

"Lent invites us to overcome the temptation of seeing the realities of this world as definitive and to recognize that 'our homeland is in heaven'.

"This year of preparation for the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 is meant to help us renew our sense that God is the Father who in the beloved Son shares with us his own life."

"The experience of the Father's love urges Christians to give of themselves to others, obeying a logic of service and solidarity in openness to their brothers and sisters. ... New forms of poverty and the pressing questions which trouble many hearts await a concrete and appropriate response. Those who are lonely, those on the margins of society, the hungry, the victims of violence, those who have no hope must be able to experience, in the Church's loving care, the tenderness of the Heavenly Father."

"Our thoughts go especially to those excluded from the banquet of everyday consumerism."

"It is not only individuals who have opportunities to show their readiness to invite the poor to share in their prosperity. International institutions, national governments and the centres controlling the world economy must all undertake brave plans and projects to ensure a more just sharing of the goods of the earth, both within individual countries and in relations between nations."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JAN 19, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate adiences:

- Archbishop Mario Francesco Pompedda, dean of the Tribunal of the Roman Rota.
- Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, apostolic administrator in European Russia.

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JAN 19, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Appointed Bishop Stephen E. Blaire, auxiliary of the archdiocese of Los Angeles, as bishop of Stockton (area 25,950, population 1,035,972, Catholics 191,195, priests 95, religious 98), United States of America. He succeeds Bishop Donald W. Montrose, whose resignation from the pastoral care of this diocese was accepted by the Holy Father on having reached the age limit.

- Appointed Bishop Michael P. Driscoll, auxiliary of the diocese of Orange in California, as bishop of Boise City (area 218,277, population 1,163,000, Catholics 116,500, priests 102, religious 149), United States of America.
- Appointed Sandro Bianchini as Bureau Chief of the Ordinary Section of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See.
NER:RE:NA/.../... VIS 990119 (110)

MAY THE SEMINARY BE "A SCHOOL OF APOSTLES"

VATICAN CITY, JAN 16, 1999 (VIS) - The Pope today received in audience the community of the Pontifical Seminary of the Italian region of Puglia on the occasion of the 90th anniversary celebrations of the founding of the seminary.

From this anniversary, John Paul II said, "two particularly significant indications emerge: the opportunity, above all, to ... institute a philosophical and theological educational structure in Puglia. This has helped entire generations of young people to deepen the relationship, which is problematic and yet unavoidable, between faith and reason. Collaboration between faith and reason has given rise to great projects and their very separation has led to great tragedies."

The second indication, he said, is linked to the lives of two pontiffs: "St. Pius X founded the seminary and established the headquarters in Lecce. Pius XI increased its numbers immediately and transferred it to Molfetta. ... Their witness is an invitation to doctrinal steadfastness and at the same time is a courageous level of openness. Moreover, it is an stimulus for holiness of life and for apostolic audacity faced with the circumstances of the today's world."

The Holy Father ended by expressing the hope that the seminary "be 'a school of apostles'; ... apostles ready to serve the people of God with all their energy. May your seminary train priests who will be sure guides for the faithful, in the footsteps of Jesus, the Good Shepherd."

AC;...;...;SEMINARY PUGLIA;VIS;19990118;Word: 240;

POPE WELCOMES OFFICIALS OF ITALY'S LAZIO REGION

VATICAN CITY, JAN 16, 1999 (VIS) - Members of the Junta and Council of the region of Lazio were welcomed by the Holy Father this morning during what has become an annual meeting for the exchange of best wishes in the New Year.

The Pope told them that their region, "with it meritorious institutions, its singular human and Christian patrimony, the lights and shadows of daily realities, will shortly be called ... to face an extraordinary event, the Great Jubilee of the year 2000." Calling the Jubilee "a spiritual event which primarily concerns the lives of believers," he stated that "Christ's birth, however, had relevance for all of mankind. ... The Jubilee will thus go beyond Church confines, involving in some way even society and civil institutions."

"Biblical tradition," John Paul II went on, "presents the Jubilee as a time of the reestablishment of justice between God and men. This is an aspect of a Jubilee to which public administrators cannot remain insensitive. It is up to them to see to the realization of the citizens' hopes for justice and solidarity."

In closing remarks, the Pope highlighted the obligations of public servants, in particular in the "search for a peace which is born of the refusal of privileges, and of respect of the rights of everyone, above all of the weak and marginalized."

AC;LAZIO REGION;...;...;VIS;19990118;Word: 230;

GROW IN UNITY WITH CHRISTIANS AND NON-CHRISTIANS

VATICAN CITY, JAN 17, 1999 (VIS) - John Paul II this morning celebrated Mass in the Roman parish of St. Liborio. In his homily he called on the faithful to walk united "in the spiritual and ecclesial itinerary towards the third Christian millennium. Walk full of trust and missionary zeal, following (in the footsteps of) St. Liborio and your patron saints."

The Pope expressed his joy at being able to inaugurate a parish initiative which counts on the aid of the diocesan branch of Caritas, so as "to put the precious professional ability at the service of the most needy." He added: "Continue planning and carrying out other charitable activities, fearlessly proclaiming the Gospel."

"Dedicate yourselves with all your energy to the Citizens' Mission which this year, continuing and incorporating itself in the commitment to families, is oriented towards the workplace and professional activity," said the Holy Father. "Open to dialogue, be prepared to see all opportunities to grow in fraternity with Christians and non-Christians, with believers from other religions and non-believers."

After Mass, meeting children from the parish, John Paul II asked them if they knew how old he would be in the year 2000. When one of the children had guessed it, the Pope answered: "It's true, the Pope was born in 1920, and God willing, he will be 80 in the year 2000. I give thanks to God for all the graces which he has given us in life: for short lives and for those which are longer, like those which last 80 years. I would ask you to pray for me, because an elderly man has more need of the help of young people."

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NATIONAL CONGRESS IN MANILA ON GOD THE FATHER

VATICAN CITY, JAN 16, 1999 (VIS) - Made public today was a letter from the Holy Father to Cardinal Jose T. Sanchez, prefect emeritus of the Congregation for Clergy, appointing him as his special envoy at the National Congress on God the Father, set for Manila, the Philippines, January 20-23. The letter is written in Latin and dated November 20, 1998.

The Pontifical Mission which will accompany the cardinal is made up of Msgrs. Jaime Mora and Ruperto Santos, and Francisco Alba, all three from the archdiocese of Manila.

JPII-LETTER;SPECIAL ENVOY;...;MANILA; SANCHEZ;VIS;19990118;Word: 100;

THE POOR SHOULD BE THE FOCAL POINT OF POLITICAL ACTION

VATICAN CITY, JAN 18, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father this morning told members of Rome's Junta and Provincial Council they they were called to work so that both those who live in this province and those who are in contact with it "might look with hope at the present and the future."

The Pope offered some reflections "which may help your administrative and political work." To take on the overseeing of society, he said, "coordinated and efficient intervention is necessary, particularly to benefit those who live in difficult situations."

Having mentioned the "tragedy of old and new forms of poverty," John Paul II said that public structures must be marked by their concern for "those less fortunate brothers and sisters. ... Moreover, the so-called 'least' run the risk of being forgotten, becoming a greater extension of an opulent society, instead of being the focal point of decisions and general orientations. However, a network of initiatives is necessary which, thanks also to volunteer work, might have the aim of reinstating, favoring and integrating people and groups (into society)."

Regarding young people, the Pope highlighted that "they should be one of the priorities for political action. Young generations, sometimes even without being aware of it, ask for culture, ideals and authentic spirituality, as an antidote to that void in values by which they feel threatened. Families, schools, dioceses and parishes are called ... to pool their resources so as to offer youth a society and a future of hope."

AC;ROME PROVINCE;...;...;VIS;19990118;Word: 250;

POPE WELCOMES EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN ARCHBISHOP

VATICAN CITY, JAN 18, 1998 (VIS) - Newly appointed Evangelical Lutheran Archbishop Jukka Paarma of Turku and Finland was welcomed this morning to the Vatican by the Holy Father, who recalled his 1989 visit to the cathedral of Turku, calling it "an event that greatly strengthened the relations between the Lutheran Church of Finland and the Catholic Church."

"Your presence here today," the Pope continued in English, "is a positive sign that these relations will continue to become even stronger as we strive to move forward in our joint quest for the restoration of that unity which Jesus Christ desires for his followers.

"As the Third Millennium rapidly approaches," he concluded, "we are conscious of the need to commit ourselves ever more firmly and irrevocably to the noble goal of Christian unity, and we are more aware of the beneficial effects that this unity will have on the new evangelization of Europe and the world."

AC;LUTHERANS;...;FINLAND; PAARMA;VIS;19990118;Word: 160;

POPE SPEAKS OF CHRISTIAN UNITY, UPCOMING TRIP TO THE AMERICAS

VATICAN CITY, JAN 17, 1998 (VIS) - Jewish-Christian religious dialogue, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and his imminent trip to Mexico and the United States were the subjects of Pope John Paul's reflections prior to praying the angelus today with the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square.

The Pope first referred to the celebration today in Italy of "The Day of deepening and development of Jewish-Christian religious dialogue." He called this an "auspicious occasion" to renew his hope that "this third year of immediate preparation for the Jubilee, dedicated to God the Father, will be a great and joyous opportunity for interreligious dialogue, especially among believers in the one, true God."

He then spoke of the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which starts tomorrow and ends January 25, feast of the conversion of St. Paul, with a celebration in the basilica of St. Paul's-Outside-the-Walls. He observed that "in coming days Christians of all denominations will share reflections and experiences on a theme prepared by a mixed group of Protestants, Orthodox and Catholics: 'They shall be his people; and God Himself shall be with them'."

John Paul II said he would be absent from the closing celebrations because, "from January 22 to 28, I will go to Mexico City and to St. Louis in the United States to give the faithful of the American continent the post-synodal apostolic exhortation, which gathers indications and orientations which emerged at the recent Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for America." He recalled that Mexico was the site, 20 years ago, of the first apostolic trip of his pontificate.

ANG;UNITY; TRIP AMERICAS;...;...;VIS;19990118;Word: 280;

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JAN 18, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Leonel Fernandez Reyna, president of the Dominican Republic, accompanied by his entourage.
- Silvano Moffa, president of the Rome Provincial Junta, together with Alberto Pascucci, president of the Provincial Council. - Archbishops Stephen Fumio Hamao and Francesco Gioia and Msgr. Giuseppe De Andrea, respectively president, secretary and under-secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People.

On Saturday January 16, he received:

- Pietro Badaloni, president of the Lazio Regional Junta, together with Luca Borgomeo, president of the Regional Council.
- Cardinal Lucas Moreira Neves, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

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DECLARATION ON VISIT OF PRESIDENT OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

VATICAN CITY, JAN 18, 1998 (VIS) - The following declaration by Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls was released this afternoon on the visit to the Vatican by President Leonel Fernandez Reyna of the Dominican Republic:

"During the meetings with the Holy Father, and then with Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano, the Church-State relations in the Dominican Republic were reviewed, in he light of commitments assumed by both parties in the 1954 Concordat.

"There then was an exchange of opinions about the current international situation, with particular reference to Central America.

"President Fernandez Reyna was accompanied by Foreign Minister Eduardo Latorre and by a delegation of government officials."

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BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA: DEFENDING THE INALIENABLE RIGHTS OF ALL

VATICAN CITY, JAN 15, 1999 (VIS) - John Paul II this morning addressed the bishops from the Episcopal Conference of Bosnia-Herzegovina, who have just completed their "ad limina" visit.

At the beginning of his speech, the Pope expressed his admiration "for the spiritual strength with which your ecclesial communities have been able to face up to great trials and sacrifices during the recent conflict, as well as during this difficult post-war period, so as to remain faithful to Christ and the mission which He has entrusted to his disciples down through time."

"I pray to the Lord that the vital zeal which characterized the Church in Bosnia-Herzegovina during the centuries does not lessen but rather grow stronger. ... There can be no doubt that the unity in apostolic goals and the close collaboration of all, priests, consecrated men and women and lay people, under the watchful guidance of bishops, will obtain abundant fruit of faith, charity and holiness."

The Holy Father said he hoped they could find "peaceful and satisfactory solutions to problems pertaining to the organization of apostolic activities." Thus, he indicated that it is necessary to unite the "courageous action of the lay faithful" to the "unreplaceable ministry of priests and the prophetic ministry of consecrated people."

Having recalled that the principal task which the Church in Bosnia-Herzegovina must face is "the organization of the life of dioceses and parishes," he also said that "it is necessary to continue helping local populations to rebuild what was destroyed during the war, and offer them the hope of a prosperous future of peace."

"Continue to defend the inalienable rights of all persons and peoples as you have done from the beginning of the bloody conflict which has sown hate and mistrust (and has caused) deaths and refugees, distancing populations from regions where they had been living for centuries."

The Pope expressed his joy at the "many signs of consolidating peace." He also referred to the "shadows which are a reason for concern" such as "the lack of solutions regarding the thorny problem of the return of refugees, as well as the unequal treatment of the three populations which make up Bosnia-Herzegovina, especially in the full respect of religious and cultural identities."

"May all peoples of your Fatherland," he continued, "see their own dignity promoted as well as their legitimate aspirations for equality and development."

John Paul II ended his speech by encouraging the bishops to continue "in trust, the commitment to ecumenism with Orthodox brothers and sisters, and dialogue with the Jewish and Islamic communities. ... Be untiring messengers of forgiveness and reconciliation."

AL;...;...;BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA;VIS;19990115;Word: 440;

POPE WELCOMES STAFF OF VATICAN LIBRARY AND SECRET ARCHIVES

VATICAN CITY, JAN 15, 1999 (VIS) - The Pope met this morning with 350 staff members of the Vatican Secret Archives and the Vatican Apostolic Library and, in his talk to them, recalled the "venerable antiquity of the institutions to which you belong" and "the close link between them and the Apostolic See."

He pointed out that, not only do they preserve and pass on the books, manuscripts and papal and curial acts housed in the archives and library, above all they "place at the disposition of the Holy See and of scholars of the entire world (these) same treasures of culture and art."

The Holy Father then underlined two qualities which, he said, "pontiffs have seen in the archives and library. ... The first is the relationship between the preserved texts and the exercise of the government and ministry of the Apostolic See, particularly the pontifical magisterium. These venerable texts contain and transmit in a certain way the very memory of the Church and therefore the continuity of her apostolic service throughout the centuries, with its light and shadows."

"The second quality," he affirmed, "is the service that you lend to the evangelization of culture. ... We must find a way to make the values which the Gospel has communicated to us, together with those which come from true humanism, ... reach men and women of culture."

John Paul II then spoke of the various exhibits and shows they are organizing in relation to the Jubilee, and closed his remarks with "a heartfelt appeal": "Love, respect and defend this great patrimony built up over the centuries by the Roman pontiffs. This is a precious and inalienable patrimony of the Holy See, which must be jealously guarded. Only the Supreme Pontiff can decide the disposition of this patrimony.

AC;VATICAN LIBRARY; ARCHIVES;...;...;VIS;19990115;Word: 290;

ORGANIZATIONAL ASPECTS OF THE JUBILEE OF THE YEAR 2000

VATICAN CITY, JAN 15, 1999 (VIS) - Cardinal Roger Etchegaray and Archbishop Crescenzio Sepe, respectively president and secretary general of the Central Committee of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000, today presented the organizational aspects of the Jubilee at the Holy See Press Office,

Carlo Balestrero, administrative delegate; Luca Magri, general secretary of the "Pelegrinatio ad Petri Sedem"; Francesco Silvano, delegate for telecommunications and computer systems; Msgr. Liberio Andreatta, delegate for international and regional relations; Angelo Scelzo, coordinator of publications; Luca de Mata, responsible for the Jubilee Committee's Internet Office; and Donato Mosella, responsible for volunteers also took part in the press conference.

Archbishop Sepe announced several committee projects: the forthcoming publication of two books, "Pilgrims in Rome" and "Pilgrims in Prayer"; another book with practical information concerning a pilgrim's "typical day" and "typical week"; leaflets which include most of the celebrations scheduled on the Jubilee calendar; the official hymn of the Jubilee and the "Pro-Jubilee votive Mass."

Concerning the welcome of pilgrims, Msgr. Andreatta said that "agreements have already been signed or are to be signed to have 5,000 beds in religious institutes; 55,000 in hotels; and 5,000 on campsites or in boarding houses."

Dr. Francesco Silvano, delegate for telecommunications and computer systems, explained that the "agreement with Telecom Italia foresees the completion of an Intranet-Extranet network for the Jubilee, ... a network which today links 171 offices of apostolic nunciatures and episcopal conferences. ... There are 38 work stations currently active in Rome, linked to the Intranet network." He added that volunteers would be furnished with cell phones to facilitate their work load and allow for emergency services.

Dr. Silvano then pointed to a novelty of this Jubilee: the Pilgrim's Card, of which more than 10 million are scheduled to be produced for the SAC, or Central Welcoming System. These cards will contain, thanks to a memory chip, personal data on the card bearer, as well as health information and all pre-paid events and services for which the pilgrim has registered.

The computerized Welcoming Information System, he said, will provide all the classic services of tour operators: reservations for religious events and other meetings, transportation services, and bus parking spots, to name a few.

Donato Mosella spoke of the volunteers who will be needed for the Jubilee and their four specific functions: pastoral animation, welcoming in places of worship, assistance and information to pilgrims and care of the city, environment and cultural patrimony.

"According to estimates," he said, "in the year 2000 we will need about 54,000 volunteers for the 'ordinary' Jubilee and 51,000 for the big events, though in some cases there will be overlapping. Project Volunteer expects 75 percent of the volunteers to be from Italy, especially Rome, Lazio and nearby regions; 15 percent from neighboring European countries; 5 percent from the rest of Europe, 3 percent from the Americas, and 1.5 percent from Africa and Asia." He remarked that a computerized data bank would handle everything relative to volunteers: recruiting, organizing and training them, as well as their actual work during the Jubilee.

Luca De Mata focussed on the Jubilee committee's internet site. He said that, "in answer to the Holy Father's wish, the Central Committee of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 has created the site Jubil2000.org, which will become operative on February 22, 1999, the feast of the chair of St. Peter."

He explained that the site "is structured in seven languages - Italian, French, English, German, Spanish, Portuguese and Polish - and we hope to have Russian and Chinese in the future." He said that "30 volunteers are working full time in this office, .... with a secondary level of outside collaborators, ranging from cloistered religious to lay faithful involved in Church work."

OP;JUBILEE;...;ETCHEGARAY; SEPE;VIS;19990115;Word: 625;