HOLY FATHER RECEIVES ROME MAYOR AND CITY OFFICIALS

VATICAN CITY, FEB 6, 1999 (VIS) - Pope John Paul received the mayor and city officials of Rome this morning and, in his talk to them, highlighted the spiritual and material preparations for the forthcoming Jubilee year 2000, as well as the challenges the city faces with regards to the family, young people and immigrants.

The Pope recalled that the Church in Rome has been preparing spiritually for the Jubilee Year celebrations, in particular through the Citizen's Mission, which he entrusted to the people of Rome on December 8, 1995, and his Letter on the Gospel of Work to Roman workers, promulgated on the same day last year.

He recognized that Rome is also preparing for the new millennium "on a practical and organizational level." Saying that "renewed structures would provide Rome with lasting benefits," he thanked everyone involved in the preparations. He expressed the hope that projects would be completed on time in order "to prepare an atmosphere which favors a worthy celebration of the Holy Year, both for pilgrims and for the city's residents."

Pope John Paul then spoke of three "concerns which I have especially taken to heart," naming families, young people and immigrants.

He asked the officials, "you, who have direct responsibilities for running the city, to commit yourselves to assuring ... concrete conditions for a healthy family life, starting with the availability of housing and with initiatives to support the family and the education of children."

On the subject of youth, "the future of society," he asked them "to encourage all those initiatives in the city which aim at offering young people sufficient places to express that great treasure of inventiveness, hope and good which they have within them." And he stressed that Rome would have to mobilize all of its forces for "one of the great events scheduled for the Jubilee, that is, World Youth Day, ... this extraordinary appointment of young people with Christian Rome, with Rome, teacher of civilization."

Lastly, the Pope spoke of another aspect of the city's future which can be seen "in the growing presence of immigrants. ... Immigration is a serious challenge but can, however, also constitute a great opportunity. ... The Church is making efforts to help those in need, without distinction of culture and religion ... and she renews her availability for a constructive collaboration with civil institutions."

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