KHATAMI IS FIRST IRANIAN PRESIDENT TO MEET POPE JOHN PAUL

VATICAN CITY, MAR 11, 1999 (VIS) - Following is the text of the declaration made by Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls on this morning's visit to the Pope by Iranian President Khatami:

"The Holy Father this morning received in audience Mr. Seyyed Mohammad Khatami, president of the Islamic Republic of Iran. It is the first time that a president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, on a visit to the Vatican, has met John Paul II.

"It was a cordial meeting, marked by a spirit of dialogue between Muslims and Christians. President Khatami, referring to the inter-religious meetings called in the past in Assisi by the Holy Father, expressed the hope that this 'spirit of Assisi' will remain as a model for the future in common understanding between religions and peoples.

"In his farewell to the Holy Father, President Khatami highlighted how 'at the end of my visit to Italy and following this meeting with you, I will return to my country full of hope for the future'.

"The Holy Father thanked President Khatami 'for this important and promising visit'.

"President Khatami then met with Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano. The situation of the Middle East was also discussed in this meeting, with particular reference to Islamic-Christian dialogue, and dialogue between cultures. The subjects of human rights and the situation of the Catholic community in Iran were also raised."

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POPE PRAISES QUALITY OF GERMAN NEWSPAPER

VATICAN CITY, MAR 11, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father received at midday today a group of journalists and readers of the German newspaper for families, "Liboriusblatt," on the centenary of this publication's founding.

"In times which are not always easy," said the Pope speaking in German, "you have managed to maintain and define the Catholic profile of your newspaper. Thus you have an important place in the perspective of twentieth century press."

"Unfortunately, quantity is often to the detriment of quality. Public opinion is often formed on the basis of the presentation and impact of news rather than on its content. It sometimes seems that the truth content of a news item is sacrificed in value as a commodity for sale."

John Paul II said that "each time it is more difficult to decide what it is worth knowing. As readers of 'Liboriusblatt' you have chosen well. Your faithfulness shows a commitment for all those who work on the newspaper."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

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

- Accepted the resignation presented by Bishop Paul Consbruch, as auxiliary of the archdiocese of Paderborn, Germany, in accordance with Canons 411 and 401, paragraph 2, of the Code of Canon Law.

- Appointed Ambrogio M.Piazzoni as vice-prefect of the Vatican Apostolic Library.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAR 11, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Mohammad Khatami, president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, accompanied by his entourage.
- Cardinal Giacomo Biffi, archbishop of Bologna, Italy, on his "ad limina" visit.
- Three prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Croatia on their "ad limina" visit:
- Bishop Slavomir Miklovs of Krizevci for Catholics of the Byzantine Rite.
- Bishop Slobodan Stambuk of Hvar.
- Bishop Zelimir Puljic of Dubrovnik.
- A group of 16 prelates from the Italian Episcopal Conference (Emilia-Romagna region) on their "ad limina" visit:
- Bishop Claudio Stagni, auxiliary of Bologna.
- Bishop Ernesto Vecchi, auxiliary of Bologna.
- Archbishop Benito Cocchi of Modena-Nonantola.
- Archbishop Luigi Amaducci of Ravenna-Cervia.
- Archbishop Carlo Caffarra of Ferrara-Comacchio.
- Bishop Vincenzo Zarri of Forli-Bertinoro.
- Bishop Lino Esterino Garavaglia of Cesena-Sarsina.
- Bishop Mariano De Nicolo of Rimini.
- Bishop Bassano Staffieri of Carpi.
- Bishop Giuseppe Fabiani of Imola.
- Bishop Silvio Cesare Bonicelli of Parma.
- Bishop Paolo Rabitti of San Marino-Montefeltro.
- Bishop Luciano Monari of Piacenza-Bobbio.
- Bishop Benvenuto Italo Castellani of Faenza-Modigliana.
- Bishop Maurizio Galli of Fidenza.
- Bishop Adriano Caprioli of Reggio Emilia-Guastalla.

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