HOLY SEE TAKES "DIPLOMATIC STEP" IN PINOCHET CASE

VATICAN CITY, FEB 19, 1999 (VIS) - Answering journalists' questions concerning Holy See intervention with the British government in favor of General Pinochet, Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls replied:
"I can confirm that a diplomatic step was undertaken by the Holy See with the English government, as was declared yesterday in London in the House of Lords by Baroness Symons of Verhnam Dean, of the Foreign Office.

"The Holy See step was made confidentially and can be made public whenever timely, as agreed with the United Kingdom government, in accordance with international praxis.

"The Apostolic See's interest has its origin in the request of the Chilean government, which is made up of a Christian-Democrat and Socialist coalition and which claims its territorial sovereignty in the various international forums, also in the judicial field."

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DECLARATION ON VISIT BY YASSER ARAFAT TO POPE JOHN PAUL

VATICAN CITY, FEB 19, 1999 (VIS) - Following is the declaration made by Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls on the audience granted this morning by Pope John Paul to Yasser Arafat, president of the Palestinian Authority:

"During the cordial meeting there was an exchange of news concerning the current situation in the Middle East, and particularly on the prospect of progress in negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians, with special attention paid to the city of Jerusalem.

"Mr. Arafat reiterated his invitation to the Holy Father to visit the city of Bethlehem, where the Pope's presence is awaited with fervor. John Paul II once again accepted the invitation.

"Following the audience with the Holy Father, Mr. Arafat was received by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of State. Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, secretary for Relations with States also took part in the meeting."

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BIRTH OF JESUS GAVE BETHLEHEM ITS UNIQUE IDENTITY

VATICAN CITY, FEB 19, 1999 (VIS) - Members of the organizing committee of the International Forum "Bethlehem 2000" were welcomed this morning by the Pope, who stressed that "it is the birth of Christ ... which gives Bethlehem its unique place in the mind and heart of the world."

"The Gospel of Saint Luke," he added, "reports that at the birth of Jesus angels sang of peace on earth to all people of good will. And although Bethlehem's history since then has often been marked by violence, the city still stands as a promise of peace and an assurance that the human hope for peace is not vain."

John Paul II remarked that "the Great Jubilee which will celebrate the two thousandth anniversary of the birth of Jesus at Bethlehem invites us to look forward in hope to a world in which peace will be secure. We must all work for a future in which there will be no threat to peace from among the worshippers of the one God, from any who bear the name of Christian or Jew or Muslim."

"The promise of peace made at Bethlehem," he concluded, "will become a reality when the dignity and the rights of human beings made in the image of God are acknowledged and respected."

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AUDIENCES

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

- Yasser Arafat, president of the Palestinan Authority, and entourage.
- Three prelates from the Ghana Bishop's Conference on their "ad limina" visit:
- Bishop Paul Bemile of Wa.
- Bishop Joseph Osei-Bonsu of Konongo-Mampong.
- Bishop Thomas Kwaku Mensah of Obuasi.

He is scheduled to receive Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, in audience later this evening.

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