"URBI ET ORBI" BLESSING FOR THE YEAR 2000

VATICAN CITY, DEC 31, 1999 (VIS) - At midnight, the Pope appeared at the window of his study in order to greet the young people who were gathered in St. Peter's Square for the prayer vigil organized by the Italian Episcopal Conference's service for the pastoral care of youth. After witnessing the spectacular firework display that marked the passage into the new year, the Holy Father imparted his 'Urbi et Orbi' blessing.

"The clock of history strikes an important hour: at this moment the year 2000 begins, and we enter into a new millennium. For believers, this is the year of the Great Jubilee. A Happy New Year to all of you, men and women of every part of the world! As we cross the threshold of the New Year I would like to knock at the door of every home, to bring to each of you my cordial good wishes. A Happy New Year to everyone in the light which shines out from Bethlehem upon the whole universe!"

He went on: "I wish you a year filled with serenity and happiness, may you always be certain of God's love for us. As He did two thousand years ago, Christ comes today with His saving Gospel to guide the uncertain and faltering steps of peoples and nations, leading them towards a future of true hope.

"I ask Him to bless this moment of festivity and good wishes, that it may be the promising beginning of a new millennium filled with joy and peace. Let us enter the year 2000 with our eyes fixed on the mystery of the Incarnation."
"Christ, yesterday, today and forever," the Pope concluded, "to Him belong time and the ages. To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen!"

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POPE GIVES THANKS FOR THE YEAR'S END

VATICAN CITY, DEC 31, 1999 (VIS) - Today in the Vatican Basilica, John Paul II presided at the vespers of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God and the "Te Deum" of thanksgiving for the end of the year.

In his homily, the Holy Father referred to the relentless course of time and the passing of the days, a reality that is part of each human being's personal history. "Conscious of its own transience, humanity writes its history: the history of individuals, of States and of continents, the history of cultures and of religions."

The Pope said that without doubt the discovery of America constitutes a significant element when evaluating the millennium that is now coming to a close. As regards this century, he highlighted the fact that it has suffered "two oppressive ideologies, responsible for innumerable victims. ... What suffering and what drama! But also, what exalted achievements!"

"With the Incarnation of the Son of God," said the Holy Father, "eternity entered into time, and man's history was opened to the possibility of transcendent fulfillment in the absoluteness of God. Man is thus offered the incredible prospect of aspiring to be a son in the Son, to inherit with Him the same glorious destiny. Consequently, the pilgrimage of earthly life is a path that we travel in God's time. The destiny is God Himself, fullness of time in eternity."

The Pope gave thanks for the constant advances in the spiritual world, for the saints of this millennium and for all humanity's attainments and progress in the scientific, technical, artistic and cultural fields.

In closing, the Pope made reference to the development of the "Citizens' Mission" in the diocese of Rome: "In the new century, may this special pastoral experience become a model for the life and pastoral action of the Church, both in Rome and in many other cities and areas throughout the world, at the service of the new evangelization."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, DEC 31, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed:

- Msgr. Lino Fumagalli, vicar general and pastor of the cathedral of the suburbicarian diocese of Porto-Santa Rufina, Italy, as bishop of Sabina-Poggio Mirteto (area 918, population 150,584, Catholics 148,344, priests 130, permanent deacons 3, religious 253), Italy. The bishop-elect was born in Rome in 1947 and ordained a priest in 1971.

- Archbishop Fares Maakaroun of Lattaquie of the Greek-Melkites, Syria, as bishop of Nossa Senhora do Paraiso em Sao Paulo of the Greek-Melkites (Catholics 408,000, priests 6), Brazil. The new bishop continues to hold the title of archbishop.

- Archbishop Jean-Clement Jeanbart as apostolic visitor for the Greek-Melkite faithful living in western Europe. He remains in his seat of Aleppo of the Greek-Melkites, Syria.

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GREETING TO PARTICIPANTS IN THE ROME MARATHON

VATICAN CITY, JAN 1, 2000 (VIS) - "Life may be compared to a unique marathon that we are all called to run, each in their own way and at their own pace," said John Paul II to the thousands of athletes and participants from various counties who took part in this year's City of Rome Marathon. He greeted them before they started the race from St. Peter's Square.

"Nonetheless," said the Pope, "we all share a common finishing line, and that is the meeting with Christ." He took the opportunity offered by the event with which the athletes were starting the Jubilee Year to express the hope that all men and women may be aware "of the meaning and value of a life spent in the service of others, in keeping with God's providential design."

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POPE CALLS US TO LOVE ALL MANKIND WITHOUT DISCRIMINATION

VATICAN CITY, JAN 1, 2000 (VIS) - From his study window, the Pope addressed some words to the thousands of pilgrims who were gathered in St. Peter's Square to pray the angelus. He said: "The Gospel teaches us that dialogue, cooperation, respect for life and solidarity are the appropriate instruments for creating new relationships between peoples and countries, between rich and poor, between believers and non-believers."

After rendering thanks to God "who offers us the chance to start another year," the Pope indicated that "God loves us, He gives each of us the hope of a new period of time, a time of salvation and peace."

John Paul II highlighted that "Christ is our peace. He calls us to love all human beings without discrimination, converting heart and mind to thoughts of peace and rejecting the temptation to violence and war."

The Holy Father remarked that on this day he felt especially close "to the victims of violence, to those who feel abandoned." Making reference to the Virgin Mary, he said: "We begin the year 2000 under the loving gaze of the Mother of God who gave Christ, Prince of Peace, to the world."

In conclusion, the Pope extended new year greetings to the world in different languages.

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OPENING OF HOLY DOOR AT ST. MARY MAJOR

VATICAN CITY, JAN 1, 2000 (VIS) - Today, Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God and 33rd World Day of Peace, the Pope opened the Holy Door of St. Mary Major and celebrated Mass.

In his homily, John Paul II made reference to peace, stating that the path to consolidating this is "unfortunately under ever greater threat, as the painful events that at various times have marked the history of the twentieth century remind us. For this reason, we must more than ever wish for peace in the name of God. May the Lord give you peace!"

"On this most important of days," continued the Holy Father, "I have had the joy of opening the Holy Door in this venerable basilica founded by Liberius, the first basilica in the west to be dedicated to the Virgin Mother of Christ. Today, a week after the solemn celebration that took place in St. Peter's, it is as if the ecclesial community of each nation and continent were gathered here in spirit, under the gaze of the Mother, in order to cross the threshold of the Holy Door that is Christ."

After recalling the words of the Gospel: "Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart," the Pope said that "all mothers have a similar awareness of the start of a new life within them. Each man's story is written, first of all, in his own mother's heart. It is no surprise that the same thing came about in the earthly life of the Son of God."

"Mary was present with the Apostles on the day of the Pentecost. She played a direct role in the birth of the Church. Since that time, her maternity has accompanied the history of redeemed humanity, the path of the great human family for whom the work of Redemption is destined. Oh Mary! At the start of the year 2000, as the Jubilee progresses, we rely upon this 'recollection' of your maternity! ... To you we entrust the days of the new year, the future of the Church, of humanity, of the universe itself."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JAN 3, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, apostolic nuncio in Rwanda.
- Bishop Raul Vera Lopez O.P., of Saltillo, Mexico.
- Participants in a youth seminar on the Church's social doctrine.

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150,000 CHILDREN FROM 30 COUNTRIES CELEBRATE THEIR JUBILEE

VATICAN CITY, JAN 2, 2000 (VIS) - This morning in St. Peter's Square, 150,000 children and adolescents from 30 countries took part in the Children's Jubilee which was convened in Rome by the Pope.

After welcoming the thousands of pilgrims and listening to the messages addressed to him by children representing different countries, the Pope spoke to the young people, expressing thanks for the enthusiasm and joyous atmosphere with which they filled St. Peter's Square.

At the start of his speech, the Pope told the children that "God is the good Father, always ready to forgive and to offer His children the chance to live and hope once more. Once again He opens His heart to us, so that all men and women, repenting their sins, ... may return to the path that leads to Him."

Going on in French, the Holy Father said that "life acquires its full value when it becomes a gift for others. ... Only with Christ can great things be achieved, only with Him is it possible to be happy and to make others happy."

The Pope made mention, in English, of "all those of your own age who are suffering hunger or violence, and those who are victims of hideous forms of exploitation. How could we forget the many children who are denied even the right to be born?

"When people want to build a world ignoring God and His law, they are in fact giving rise to a situation of more and more suffering and injustice. With the Jubilee the Lord invites us to correct these wrongs. ... Jesus also needs you for this task. He is entrusting his plans to you and he is asking you: Do you wish to be my friend? Do you wish to help me make the world more beautiful and welcoming? Do you wish to be witnesses to my love in the Church and in the world?"

The Pope also spoke in Spanish to the children gathered in St. Peter's Square, recalling the Gospel passage about the Child Jesus lost in the Temple and encouraging all to "return home, transformed by the love of Jesus who has given you His friendship.

Finally, in Polish, the Pope told the children that they were the hope of humanity.

At the close of the event, the Pope awarded the John XXIII International Peace Prize to the non-governmental organization 'ATD - Aide a toute detresse- Quart Monde.' This body was founded in Paris, France, in 1957 by Fr. Wresinski and today has a presence in many parts of the world, where it works in support of needy children.

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