WORLD TOURISM ORGANIZATION TO STUDY CODE OF TOURISM ETHICS

VATICAN CITY, MAY 15, 1999 (VIS) - Msgr. Piero Monni, Holy See permanent observer to the World Tourism Organization, will address the 60th meeting of the WTO's executive council during its meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from May 18 to 21, according to a commnique released today by his office.

The note adds that one of the important projects of this meeting will be the preparation of a Global Code of Tourism Ethics. "The Holy See," it says, "from the day that the WTO was established, has always underlined the duty of supporting and defending the ethical, spiritual and religious values of various peoples." Msgr. Monni will address the issue of problems connected with religious freedom and religious worship in the foreign countries visited.

"The institutional scope of the Holy See," states the communique, "is to sustain this commitment of respecting the aforementioned values, so that they might become a motive of universal brotherhood and dialogue among peoples. And it is precisely to support these aspirations and rights that the Holy See is present in various international institutions, including the WTO, with a permanent observer."

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TO BE MISSIONARIES OF CHARITY, PLACE CHRIST AT THE CENTER

VATICAN CITY, MAY 15, 1999 (VIS) - This morning the Pope received 40 participants in the general chapter of the Little Missionary Sisters of Charity led by Sister Maria Ortensia Turati, who has just been re-elected as superior general.

The Holy Father said: "In order that your work progress in keeping with its own charism, above all it is necessary that you remain solidly 'rooted' in Christ."

John Paul II encouraged the sisters to remain faithful to Christ, following in the footsteps of their founder, the Blessed Luigi Orione. "May Christ be the center of your hearts and of all your worthy projects. In this way you will be missionaries of His Gospel of charity wherever you may be and you will radiate to those around you the wholesome balm of divine mercy."

The Pope continued: "From ceaseless prayer and contemplation you draw light and strength in order to truly be Little Missionary Sisters of Charity. Poor, small and humble, just as Don Orione wanted, so that you can effectively share the conditions of those who are on the margins of society, yet well prepared and trained to respond adequately to the spiritual and social challenges of our times."

The Pope indicated that "constant cooperation with the Sons of Divine Providence in the name of the common founder, the opening to the laity, ... a training attentive to the changed needs of our age, a permanent and organic involvement in local Churches will truly render your institute 'more missionary'."

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JOHN PAUL II RECALLS ALL THE "WITNESSES IN CHARITY"

VATICAN CITY, MAY 16, 1999 (VIS) - In St. Peter's Square this morning, the Pope celebrated a mass for volunteers and members of social charity organizations who have participated in a world meeting in Rome promoted by the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum."

"I gladly celebrate the Eucharist for you and with you," said the Holy Father in his homily, "recalling all the 'witnesses in charity' who all over the world strive to eliminate injustice and misery, alas still present in so many forms both open and hidden. ... To each of you I express my esteem and support."

John Paul II also encouraged those present to "continue in this noble mission to which you are committed as children of the Church, wherever man is suffering or living in discomfort. Take the consolation of Christian solidarity to whomever you meet, vigorously proclaim and witness Christ, man's Redeemer."

The Pope continued: "Love for one's neighbor only conforms to the commandment and example of Christ if it is linked to love for God." In this context he recalled "the noble figures of the heroic servants of love who, in the course of this century, have given their lives for their fellows, dying in order to fulfill the highest commandment of Christ. As we absorb their teaching we are called to follow in their footsteps."

The Pope highlighted that "it is not possible to give love to one's fellow man unless it is first drawn from the true well of divine charity and this is only possible by giving time to prayer, to listening to the Word of God and to adoration of the Eucharist, font and culmination of Christian life."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, MAY 15, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father nominated:

- Fr. Lino Bortolo Belotti as auxiliary bishop of Bergamo (area 2,442, population 873,248, Catholics 850,000, priests 1060, religious 3,200), Italy. The bishop-elect was born in Comenduno, Italy in 1930, ordained a priest in 1954 and since 1996 has been vicar general of the same diocese.

- Archbishop Luigi Conti, apostolic nuncio in Honduras, as apostolic nuncio in Turkey and Turkmenistan.

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CARDINAL POUPARD SAYS MASS FOR COMMUNICATION PROFESSIONALS

VATICAN CITY, MAY 16, 1999 (VIS) - Cardinal Paul Poupard, president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, today celebrated a Mass in the Roman basilica of Santa Maria in Montesanto for all those who work in the field of cinema, show business and communications.

The Mass took place within the context of the Rome Citizens' Mission, which this year is concerned with the world of work.

In his homily, Cardinal Poupard recalled the Pope's recent Letter to Artists and made reference to this year's Message for World Communications Day which is being celebrated today. In it the Pope asks those responsible for the means of communication to commit themselves to promoting the search for the very essence of human life. The cardinal said that "the defense and promotion of this essence of human life, dear friends, lies at the center of the pastoral concerns of the Church. May it also be at the center of your own pastoral commitment and professional responsibility."

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REGINA COELI: SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS, KOSOVO AND PEACE

VATICAN CITY, MAY 16, 1999 (VIS) - In remarks following the Regina Coeli prayer, Pope John Paul made reference to World Communications Day, and also greeted a group of refugees from Kosovo.

"The Church today is celebrating World Communications Day," he said. "As I cordially greet all who work in the world of the mass media, I also encourage them to ensure - as I wrote in the annual Message for this day - that the means of social communications always constitute a friendly presence for the men and women of our time, helping them in their search for God, for good and for truth."

The Pope then welcomed "a large group of Kosovar refugees, who are the guests of Italian Caritas. Dear brothers and sisters, in this month of May we are praying in a special way for peace. May the intercession of Mary Most Holy obtain peace for you and for all the populations tormented by wars."

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CHARITABLE ACTION IS A WITNESS TO THE COMMANDMENT OF LOVE

VATICAN CITY, MAY 16, 1999 (VIS) - Following the Mass for the World Day of Charity, and before reciting the Regina Coeli with the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square, Pope John Paul reflected on the work of all those involved in charitable action, humanitarian aid and volunteerism.
He especially referred to "those great Catholic aid organizations which, with notable efforts, seek to fight the misery present in the world. Others represent that immense group of volunteers who, in many parts of the world, freely dedicate themselves to serving their neighbor. In the cases of natural disasters, emergency situations, wars and illnesses, large numbers of men and women, in a spirit of generous altruism, take care of those in difficulty and dedicate time and energy to them, in the image of the Good Samaritan."

"What is the specific contribution that Christians are called to offer?" the Holy Father asked. "They ... know how to give witness everywhere and with every possible means to the supreme commandment of love: 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, ... and with all your mind, and with all your strength. ... You shall love your neighbor as yourself'."

"When it remains faithful to the mandate and example of Christ," the Pope pointed out, "the Christian's charitable action becomes the proclamation of and witness to Christ who gives His life, heals the hearts of men, cures the wounds caused by hatred and sin, and brings joy and peace to all."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAY 17, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- General Vasco Joaquim Rocha Vieira, Governor of Macau, accompanied by his wife and entourage.
- Six prelates from the Kenya Episcopal Conference on their "ad limina" visit:
- Bishop Peter J. Kairo of Nakuru.
- Bishop Paul Darmanin O.F.M. Cap. of Garissa.
- Bishop John Njue of Embu.
- Bishop Cornelius Kipng'eno Arap Korir of Eldoret.
- Bishop Linus Okok of Homa Bay.
- Bishop Joseph Mairura Okemwa of Kisii.
- Eng Fong Pang, ambassador of Singapore on his farewell visit.

On Saturday May 15, he also received in separate audiences:

- Archbishop Adriano Bernardini, apostolic nuncio to Madagascar, the Seychelles and Mauritius and apostolic delegate to Reunion and the Comores.
- Seven prelates from the Kenya Episcopal Conference on their "ad limina" visit:
- Archbishop Nicodemus Kirima of Nyeri.
- Archbishop Zacchaeus Okoth of Kisumu.
- Bishop Philip Sulumeti of Kakamega.
- Bishop Urbanus Jospeh Kioko of Machakos.
- Bishop Silas Sylvius Njiru of Meru.
- Bishop Colin Cameron Davies M.H.M. of Ngong.
- Bishop Ambrogio Ravasi I.M.C. of Marsabit.
- Cardinal Lucas Moreira Neves, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

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