OFFICIAL VISIT OF ITALIAN PRESIDENT CIAMPI

VATICAN CITY, OCT 19, 1999 (VIS) - This morning the Holy Father received Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, president of the Italian Republic, on an official visit to the Vatican. President Ciampi took office on May 18 this year.

In his address, the Pope indicated that Italy "is well integrated among the sister nations of Europe." This continent "which has reached unexpected levels of well-being, is today faced with the task of re-thinking itself in order to adapt its structures to higher goals, perhaps goals hardly yet imagined. Progress cannot be merely economic."

The economic dimension, he continued, must be "crowned by a 'centrality of the soul.' ... In this sense, it becomes essential that the public authorities recognize those basic human values upon which the very foundations of society rest. Pluralist State does not mean agnostic State."

After referring to the Italian nation's vocation to peace, John Paul II highlighted that "it is important that this situation persist, because only in the context of peace can the complex problems challenging the nation be faced and appropriately solved. Life must be guarded from conception and guaranteed, with love and dignity, in its natural evolution. Life is born and grows in the family, the fundamental cell upon which the nation stands, and which deserves ever improved assistance."

"Then," he went on, "there is school, which must be free and open to the moral and intellectual growth of the young generations. ... Finally, there is work." On this subject, he made a call to the public authorities to, "with all means possible, assist individuals to express their creative potential. It would be a grave fault to remain indifferent and confine the young to corrupting idleness."

The Pope concluded by highlighting the "traditional and well-tested hospitality of the Italian people," which will welcome the pilgrims who come to Rome in the year 2000.

Later, as prescribed by protocol, President Ciampi visited Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano, with whom he had a private interview. He was then accompanied to the Sala Regia, where Cardinal Sodano presented him to the diplomatic corps. The official ceremony concluded with the visit of the president to St. Peter's Basilica.

This afternoon Cardinal Sodano, accompanied by Archbishop Giovanni Battista Re, substitute for General Affairs, will visit the Quirinale, official residence of the Italian President, to return the visit.

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