GENERAL AUDIENCE: UNIVERSAL ESCHATOLOGY

VATICAN CITY, MAY 26, 1999 VIS) - "Universal eschatology: Humanity on the Journey to the Father" was the theme of John Paul II's catechism during this morning's general audience in St. Peter's Square.

The Pope said that, in order to reflect on human destiny, "it is essential to refer to Exodus with its orientation towards entry into the promised land," and its revelation of God's salvific action.

The Holy Father recalled that "during the exile, the prophets foretold a new Exodus," that "God will not only bring together His scattered people, but will transform the heart of each one," and create a new alliance.

"The resurrection of Christ, His ascension and the announcement of His return have shed a new light on our final end. ... Jesus says: 'I go to prepare a place for you. And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am, you may be also.'"

The Pope recalled that we do not know when the end of time will occur. For this reason, "we must patiently await the coming of the resurrected Jesus. ... Anticipation of the final event must be lived in serene hope, committing oneself in the present moment to building the kingdom which Christ will hand over to the Father at the end of time."

He concluded: "Consequently we must remain convinced that our 'commonwealth is in heaven and from it we await a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.' For here we have no lasting city."

Among his greetings at the end of the audience, John Paul II particularly addressed the pilgrims from the Apostolic Vicariate of Meki, Ethiopia: "The conflict between your country and Eritrea is a cause of great sadness to me. Let us pray that peace will be promptly and permanently restored."

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MEETING AND CONCERT TO HONOR ITALIAN MUSICIAN LUCA MARENZIO

VATICAN CITY, MAY 26, 1999 (VIS) - The Santa Cecilia National Academy, the Pontifical Council for Culture and the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music have organized a meeting and a concert on May 29 to honor Italian musician Luca Marenzio on the occasion of the fourth centenary of his death.

The liturgical and devotional music of Marenzio will be highlighted in the afternoon meeting, according to a communique published today by the Santa Cecilia Academy. A concert of rare spiritual madrigals will be performed that evening in the basilica of San Lorenzo in Lucina, where the composer is buried. Cardinal Paul Poupard, president of the pontifical council, will unveil a commemorative plaque.

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PRESENTATION OF JUBILEE INITIATIVES AT CONFERENCE TOMORROW

VATICAN CITY, MAY 26, 1999 (VIS) - Tomorrow, May 27, at 11:30 a.m. in the Holy See Press Office, there will be a conference to present a number of initiatives for the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000, including several from local Churches. Emphasis will be placed on the organization for welcoming the needy during the year 2000.

Scheduled to participate are Cardinal Roger Etchegaray and Archbishop Crescenzio Sepe, respectively president and secretary general of the Central Committee of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000, Angelo Scelzo, editor of "Tertium Millennium" magazine and Luca De Mata, head of the central committee's Internet office.

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PAPAL MESSAGE FOR DEATH OF ARCHBISHOP MARIO TAGLIAFERRI

VATICAN CITY, MAY 26, 1999 (VIS) - The funeral Mass for Archbishop Mario Tagliaferri, apostolic nuncio in France who died on May 21, was held yesterday morning in the church of Saint-Pierre de Chaillot in Paris. Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, archbishop of Paris officiated, and Archbishop Giovanni Battista Re, substitute for General Affairs, delivered a eulogy and read a message from Pope John Paul.

Following is the text of that message, written in French and published today:

"Having learned with great emotion of the death of Archbishop Tagliaferri, apostolic nuncio in France, I join in prayer all those who are grieving. I wish to express my deepest sympathy to the members of the Conference of Bishops of France, with whom the deceased had deep ties, sharing the joys and difficulties of their pastoral ministry, as well as to all persons touched by this mourning. With ardor and generosity, Msgr. Tagliaferri worked selflessly for the mission, also showing his great love for Christ and for the Church, whose humble and devoted servant he was. I ask Our Father in heaven to welcome into eternal joy the soul of this zealous pastor. As a sign of spiritual comfort, I send my heartfelt apostolic blessing to the cardinals, bishops, priests, civil authorities and all the faithful who have joined in prayer for the farewell ceremony."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, MAY 26, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Appointed Bishop Angelo Domingos Salvador, O.F.M. Cap., of Cachoeira do Sul, Brazil, as Bishop of Uruguaiana (area 37,403, population 453,230, Catholics 370,000, priests 23, religious 92), Brazil.

- Erected the eparchy of Belthangady, India, with territory taken from the archieparchy of Tellicherry, making it a suffragan of the metropolitan church of Tellicherry, of the Syro-Malabar rite. He appointed Fr. Lawrence Mukkuzhy as first bishop of the new eparchy. The bishop-elect was born in Sullia, India, in 1951, was ordained a priest in 1978 and since 1997 has been episcopal vicar for the Karnataka "mission."

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