FAITH AND SCIENCE AT THE SERVICE OF LIFE AND HUMAN DIGNITY

VATICAN CITY, MAR 27, 1999 (VIS) - In his meeting today with the board of directors of the World Federation of Scientists, the Pope highlighted the importance for faith and science, once the misunderstandings of the past are overcome, "to open up to ever deeper reciprocal understanding, at the service of life and human dignity."

Having underscored the scientific progress of this century, he said that "a cultural factor particularly emerges from this, ... which mainly consists in a new vision of science, characterized by the end of the 'myth of progress', according to which science would have been able to resolve all problems of people in a short period of time."

Another factor, said the Holy Father, is the "economic aspect." For the technological application of some discoveries "enormous sums of money are spent, and this (in turn) provokes justified concern for its use and the validity of its projects. Finally, the political dimension of science is of capital importance, for the consequences it has for the building of peace."

John Paul II concluded by emphasizing the need to carry out "suitable projects which, involving scientific volunteer work and the responsible cooperation of cultural, economic and political factors, might contribute to drawing up plans whose aim is to protect creation and benefit authentic human development."

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PEACE IS NOT A QUESTION OF POWER, BUT OF RECONCILIATION

VATICAN CITY, MAR 27, 1999 (VIS) - Ambassador Bae Yang-il from the Republic of Korea presented his Letters of Credence today to Pope John Paul, who recalled that, during his first visit to Korea in 1984, "I shared the sufferings and hopes of all the people of the peninsula, and I continue to pray that they will one day be re-united as one family."

"I encourage your government's efforts," the Pope said in his speech in English, "to resolve present difficulties through mutual trust, practical assistance and open dialogue. To work for peace requires patient and persevering effort, for true peace is not a matter of power and strength, but calls for genuine reconciliation between peoples."

He underlined that "the resolution of the many conflicts between countries and ethnic groups represents one of the major challenges facing the international community as we prepare to enter a new millennium. ... To ensure a peace built on solid and lasting foundations, a concerned international effort is needed to promote and guarantee a culture of human rights, and I am pleased that your government shares this opinion."

The Holy Father then referred to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which, he said, "draws attention to a number of essential features of human rights, which are sometimes overlooked or underplayed: It emphasizes that the recognition of the innate dignity of all members of the human family, as well as the equality and inalienability of their rights, is the foundation of liberty, justice and peace. Human rights, therefore, are not conferred by external authority but stem from the inherent dignity and worth of the human person: they are simply a consequence of being human and are common to all."

For peace and development among nations and peoples to occur, "it is essential to defend the universality and indivisibility of human rights."

"The Holy See," affirmed John Paul II, "seeks to be a positive and helpful partner in this immense and crucial task. The Church defends human rights and contributes to the political, social, economic and cultural order because she teaches the transcendent dignity of every person."

He turned to the religious traditions of Buddhism and Confucianism which have shaped Korea, as well as, more recently Christianity. "Korea's respect for religion is undoubtedly influenced by the conviction that at the very heart of every culture lies man's attitude to the greatest mystery, that of God."

In concluding remarks, the Pope noted that "authentic democratic society and just relations between nations depend on the attitude taken to the religious dimension of human existence and to the question of transcendent and objective truth. ... Far from being a limitation upon freedom or a threat to it, reference to the truth about the human person ... is, in fact, the guarantor of freedom's future."

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CARDINAL CASSIDY TO SPEAK ON VATICAN'S HOLOCAUST DOCUMENT

VATICAN CITY, MAR 27, 1999 (VIS) - From March 28 to 30 in Chicago, U.S.A., Cardinal Edward Idris Cassidy, president of the Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews, will take part in a symposium on the Vatican document on the Holocaust, "We Remember. A Reflection on the Shoah."

On Monday, March 29, the cardinal will give a public address at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago on the Vatican document on the Holocaust and reflections toward a new millennium. The three-day symposium is being convened by both the Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Center for Theology and Ministry and by the Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding.

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TELEGRAM FOR MONT BLANC TUNNEL ACCIDENT

VATICAN CITY, MAR 27, 1999 (VIS) - Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of state, sent a telegram on behalf of the Holy Father to Bishop Giuseppe Anfossi of Aosta, Italy, for the accident last Wednesday in the Mont Blanc Tunnel:

"The Supreme Pontiff, having learned the news of the tragic road accident in the Mont Blanc Tunnel which caused the deaths of many French and Italian citizens, charges Your Excellency to express his sympathies to the relatives and friends of the deceased, sharing in their pain for their deep mourning, as well as expressing his solidarity with survivors for the sufferings caused by this terrible disaster. The Holy Father also assures his fervent prayers for the repose of the souls of the victims, and expresses his appreciation for those who in various ways did their utmost in rescue operations. While he invokes God's comfort for those who suffer the consequences of such a difficult trial, he extends to all a special apostolic blessing as a special sign of spiritual closeness."

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CELEBRATION OF 14TH WORLD YOUTH DAY

VATICAN CITY, MAR 28, 1999 (VIS) - Today, Palm Sunday and the 14th World Youth Day, the Pope presided at Mass in St. Peter's Basilica in the presence of thousands of young people from all over the world.

In his homily, the Pope said that the Holy Week ceremonies "begin with 'Hosanna' ... and culminate in the 'Crucifige' (Crucify him) of Good Friday. ... Christ, although he was sinless, took upon himself all that man could not tolerate: injustice, evil, sin, hate, suffering, and finally, death. In Christ, the Son of man, humiliated and suffering, God loves and forgives everyone, and confers the ultimate meaning to human life."

John Paul II then referred to World Youth Days which began in 1985, and which, "following the 'Holy Year Cross', have taken place throughout the world like a long pilgrimage towards the new millennium. ... Today's World Youth Day is the last before the Jubilee: it has, however, a particular importance. Thanks to the contribution of all may this be a strong experience of faith and ecclesial communion!"

"Beloved young people!" said the Pope, "go with joy to meet Christ, Who is the joy of your youth. Seek Him and find Him in adhering to His Word and the mystery of His presence in the Church and in the sacraments. Live with Him in faithfulness to His Gospel, which is demanding, it is true, to the point of sacrifice, but which is at the same time the only source of hope and true happiness. Love Him in the person of your brother or sister in need of justice, help, friendship and peace."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 27, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Appointed Fr. Rafael Masahiro Umemura, as bishop of Yokohama (area 28,234, population 15,134,000, Catholics 51,209, priests 145, religious 763), Japan. The bishop-elect was born in Kikuna, in 1952 and was ordained a priest in 1985. Up until now he has been dean of studies of the Interdiocesan Major Seminary of Tokyo.

- Dr. Paolo Vian as "scriptor latinus" of the Vatican Apostolic Library.

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POPE THANKS ST. PETER'S CIRCLE FOR SERVICE

VATICAN CITY, MAR 29, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father, during this morning's annual meeting with the members of St. Peter's Circle, which commemorates 130 years since its founding, thanked them for their "commitment to the poor and the dedicated service to the Church and the Pope."

The Pope recalled that among the different activities of the institution, there was "'Peter's Pence', which is collected yearly in Rome's churches, and which today you have come to present." He stated: "May the Lord reward you for this gesture of active concern for the Apostolic See!" Members also look after liturgical services in St. Peter's Basilica.

"My wish," added the Pontiff, "is that all the baptized may be inspired to a generous impulse to charity, in the likeness of the extraordinary love with which the Father gave his Only Son for the salvation of the world."

"Through your commitment to solidarity, recently enriched by the inauguration of the Welcome Center for free assistance to the terminally ill, particularly the destitute, and your service to the Apostolic See," concluded John Paul II, "you are called to show that tenderness which God has for each and every person."

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ANGELUS: HOLY FATHER'S PLEA FOR PEACE IN THE BALKANS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 28, 1999 (VIS) - At today's angelus, recited in St. Peter's Basilica following Palm Sunday Mass, Pope John Paul greeted all the young people present for World Youth Day, and also made a heartfelt appeal for peace in the Balkans.

"I know that you are preparing the 15th World Youth Day, which will take place in Rome in August 2000," he told the youth. "It is up to you to welcome in the best possible way your peers who will come from every part of the world, and to give them a witness of authentic faith and cordial fraternity."

The Holy Father then thanked Italy's Puglia region for the olive trees they offered to decorate St. Peter's Square, as well as the olive branches for the day's celebration.

"May these branches," he said, "be the symbol of that peace so desired by the populations of the Balkan region! Today we fervently pray to 'the Prince of Peace', who offers himself to us so defenseless, so that He may inspire all those who take up arms! May fraternity and understanding prevail, also in that part of Europe, over the forces of hatred! The Pope is with those who are suffering, and he cries out to everyone: It is always time for peace! It is never too late to meet and negotiate!"

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAR 29, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Didier Opertti, president of the 53rd session of the United Nations General Assembly, and foreign affairs minister of Uruguay, with his wife and entourage.
- Cardinal Paul Poupard, president of the Pontifical Council for Culture.

He also received on Saturday March 27:

- Bishop Reinhard Lettmann of Munster, Federal Republic of Germany.
- Bishop Jayme Henrique Chemello of Pelotas, Brazil, president of the Brazilian Episcopal Conference, accompanied by secretary of the conference, Bishop Raymundo Damasceno Assis, auxiliary of Brasilia.
- Prof. Sergio Zaninello, rector of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart.
- Cardinal Lucas Moreira Neves, prefect of the Congregation of Bishops.
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PLEAS FOR PEACE IN BALKANS, END OF DEATH PENALTY IN EUROPE

VATICAN CITY, MAR 29, 1999 (VIS) - This morning in the Clementine Hall, the Pope welcomed 300 members of the parliamentary assembly of the Council of Europe, and members of the parliamentary committees for political affairs, juridical affairs and human rights, migrations, refugees and demography.

Speaking French, he told them that the work that has been accomplished by the Council since it was founded 50 years ago, "has been an eminent service rendered to the peoples of Europe." He recalled that the Council "has steered the same course for 50 years: ... to more closely unite the European peoples on the basis of the patrimony of values which they share."

To accomplish this, John Paul II observed that "what must be remembered is that there is no just political, economic or social life without respect for the dignity of each person." He added that the values of human rights, freedom, democracy, and solidarity "are deeply rooted in the European conscience; they represent the strongest aspirations of European citizens. They must inspire every project whose noble ambition is to unite the peoples of this continent."

The Holy Father then spoke of the conflict in Kosovo, saying it "wounds all of Europe. I ask insistently that everything be undertaken to establish peace in the region and that people be able to live in fellowship in their land. Answering violence with violence is never the way to get out of a crisis. What must be done is to silence arms and acts of vengeance in order to undertake negotiations" leading to a peace agreement respectful "of different peoples and cultures."

Pope John Paul then said: "I add my voice to that of the Council of Europe in asking that the most basic right, the right to life for every person, be recognized throughout Europe and that the death penalty be abolished. This premier right ... not only implies that every person must be able to survive, but that each can live in just and dignified conditions."

The Pope urged the parliamentarians not to neglect "a serious family policy, which guarantees the rights of married couples and children. ... I invite national parliaments to redouble their efforts to sustain the basic cell of society, which is the family, and to give it its full place: it constitutes the primary place of socialization."

In concluding remarks, he expressed the Holy See's appreciation for the assembly's recent declaration that "democracy and religion are not incompatible; on the contrary ... religion, through its moral and ethical commitment, the values it defends, its critical sense and its cultural expression, can be a viable partner of a democratic society."

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