OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, FEB 11, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed:

- Archbishop Beniamino Stella, apostolic nuncio in Cuba, as apostolic nuncio in Colombia.

- Archbishop Giuseppe Pittau, secretary of the Congregation for Catholic Education, and Professor Gian Luigi Gigli, president of the International Federation of Associations of Catholic Doctors, as members of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers.
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- Professor Giovanni Giacobbe as promotor of justice at the Court of Appeal of Vatican City State.

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HOLY FATHER ASSURES THE SICK OF REMEMBRANCE IN HIS DAILY PRAYER

VATICAN CITY, FEB 11, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father spoke briefly at the end of the Mass celebrated today in St. Peter's Basilica and presided over by Cardinal Camillo Ruini, his vicar general for the diocese of Rome, on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes and the Seventh World Day of the Sick.

Addressing the sick and the volunteers accompanying them, the Pope said that today's celebration was "an appropriate time of prayer which spiritually unites the sick throughout the world, especially since February 11th, for the past seven years, has been the World Day of the Sick. Each year it is held at an important Marian shrine; today it is Harissa, near Beirut."

He concluded by saying: "I entrust each one of you to (Our Lady), invoking her consolation in your trials. I assure you of my daily prayer."

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POPE AND BISHOPS OF LAOS, CAMBODIA MEET TOGETHER FOR FIRST TIME

VATICAN CITY, FEB 11, 1999 (VIS) - Pope John Paul, in opening remarks made this morning to the bishops of the Episcopal Conference of Laos and Cambodia at the conclusion of their "ad limina" visit, recalled that it is the first time that they have met together with the Successor of Peter.

He pointed to the "heroic fidelity demonstrated by the disciples of Christ a time when your nations were undergoing terrible suffering and there were countless innocent victims of blind violence and the denial of human dignity. Numerous priests, religious and laity gave their lives to follow the Lord, mixing their blood with that of their brothers and sisters, facing trials with dignity and fortitude."

"I know with what self-abnegation you yourselves have served and continue to serve the Church in your countries," the Holy Father told the prelates. "Several of you have known prison or exile, while some of your brothers had already given their lives for the flock, following the example of the Good Shepherd."

He highlighted the small but growing number of priestly and religious vocations in Laos and Cambodia and said he recognized the often "difficult conditions of life and ministry."

Christ assists you and your priests, the Pope said, "with his grace." He invited priests "to promote among themselves a spirit of priestly fraternity and collaboration," and he urged bishops "to fraternally associate the priests in the leadership of the ecclesiastical circumscriptions, respecting the orientations of Vatican Council II and the norms of Canon law."

John Paul II congratulated the bishops on the concern they show for vocations and for "the meritorious efforts you have undertaken in the formation of those young people who accept to walk in the steps of Christ to serve the Church."

He asked the bishops to convey his gratitude to "the youth who have answered the Lord's call" and to the laity "for their fidelity, on occasion heroic, to Christ, in particular when, in certain areas, they were without priests for many years."

"During the difficult periods which you have lived," underlined the Holy Father, "the Christian family has played an essential role in preserving the faith. It is indispensable that parents convey to their children what they have received. In founding family life on love, simplicity, real commitment and daily witness, they will defend the basic values which constitute it from the breakup which too often today threatens this primary institution of society."

The Pope expressed the Church's "respect and esteem for the cultural and spiritual riches rooted in your people," pointing out that "ancient and noble civilizations have developed in your countries. They have been deeply marked by Asia's great religious traditions, bearers of wisdom and culture, especially Buddhism. ... Christianity itself has been present for more than four centuries."

John Paul II then highlighted the Church's dedication in numerous countries to helping "refugees and persons in distress," as well as her assistance to those struck by natural calamities. "The Church intends to fight all that which enslaves the human person and threatens his or her life, thus participating in the rebuilding of the nation. I greatly encourage you to pursue your generous and disinterested work at the service of the peoples of your countries, especially the weakest ones."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, FEB 12, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Mary Mc Aleese, president of the Republic of Ireland, accompanied by her husband and entourage.
- Archbishop Angel Suquia Goicoechea, emeritus of Madrid, Spain.
- Archbishop Geraldo Majella Agnelo of Sao Salvador da Bahia, Brazil.
- Cardinal Jozef Glemp, archbishop of Warsaw, primate of Poland.

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PRESIDENT OF IRELAND PAYS VISIT TO HOLY FATHER

VATICAN CITY, FEB 12, 1999 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls made the following declaration at noon:

"The Holy Father this morning received Mrs. Mary McAleese, president of Ireland, together with her husband and entourage. Immediately afterwards, the president met with Cardinal Angelo Sodano, His Holiness'secretary of state.

"In the course of the meetings, the current situation in Ireland and Europe was discussed.

"Special attention was given to the problem of peace in Ireland. Mrs. McAleese referred to the objectives already reached and to the prospects for the future. The Holy Father John Paul II expressed his satisfaction to the president for this path of reconciliation."

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PROCLAIM AND GIVE WITNESS TO THE GOSPEL OF LOVE

VATICAN CITY, FEB 12, 1999 (VIS) - The Pope received at midday today the cardinals and bishops from various continents who are friends of the Focolari Movement and who have just finished their annual congress in Castelgandolfo.

John Paul II said that during their meeting, they "appropriately highlighted the vital importance of prayer and Christian meditation, as experiences of love which lift the soul and unite it to God. ... In our daily lives, it is important that intimate dialogue with our Heavenly Father is not lacking. Everything should find its meaning and value in this communion of life, so that our being and actions show the merciful love of God, source of unity and communion."

"Know how to discern, welcome and favor the charism which the Spirit stirs up in the Movement, so that the desire for unity and communion be accomplished in all peoples, which is a privileged characteristic of the 'Opus Mariae'" (Work of Mary), the official name of the Focolari Movement.

The Holy Father asked the prelates to always take care to "proclaim and give witness to the Gospel of love. This requires a deep spirituality which obtains unceasing vitality from the Eucharistic mystery, in full harmony with the Magisterium of the Church and with the necessities of the ecclesial community."

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