JOHN PAUL II OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES SPRING MARATHON

VATICAN CITY, MAY 27, 2000 (VIS) - At 10 this morning Pope John Paul appeared at his study window to greet those gathered below in St. Peter's Square who are participating in the Spring Marathon. He spoke briefly and then officially started the 20th edition of this race which celebrates Catholic schools in the Lazio region of Italy and which, on the occasion of the Jubilee Year, includes state-run schools as well.

"As you run through the streets of Rome," he told the participants, "bring a message of hope: be witnesses that it is possible to build a future of peace and justice, rejecting every form of exploitation and oppression." He added that schools should be places "of formation to face the emerging challenges of our times."

For students, the school years "are a precious cultural opportunity to fully use to your advantage." For teachers, they "are an occasion to transmit not only ideas and scientific data, but also to communicate an authentic experience of life." For families, these "are important years to guide your children."

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ARCHBISHOP TAURAN MEETS VIETNAMESE FOREIGN MINISTER

VATICAN CITY, MAY 27, 2000 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls made the following declaration: "This morning a meeting took place in the Vatican between Nguyen Dy Nien, foreign minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, secretary for Relations with States. During the friendly encounter, questions of interest to both parties were discussed."

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HOLY FATHER WELCOMES MISSIONARIES OF ST. FRANCIS DE SALES

VATICAN CITY, MAY 27, 2000 (VIS) - The Pope this morning welcomed the missionaries of St. Francis de Sales, who are in Rome to celebrate their congregation's General Chapter. In a Message he consigned to the order, he recalls that it was founded in France in 1838 by Fr. Pierre-Marie Mermier, who "was prompted by the spiritual needs of French society in his own time."

"Following the upheavals of the early years of the 19th century," he writes, "the consequent decline of religious knowledge and practice called for a determined missionary approach to rouse people from their apathy and urge them to be converted. Inspired by St. Frances di Sales' simplicity, benevolence and confidence," Fr. Mermier committed the first priests to "work in the spirit of the saintly bishop of Geneva."

Noting that the congregation today "is present in many parts of the world, and continues to grow and make progress," John Paul II underlined how "today, more than ever, people need to hear the message of salvation ... and to welcome into their lives the mercy of God Who makes us His adopted children and heals the wounds of our hearts. All Christ's disciples should have a deep sense of the need to pass on to others the light and joy of the faith.

The Message urges the missionaries "to be attentive to the new challenges of our times," to be "committed to an intense life of prayer" and to "trust in God's Providence. ... In the field of education you must bear radical witness to the values of the Gospel, and instruct young people in the ways of unselfish commitment and holiness. ... In serving the poor, you must be simple and austere in your way of life, and you must love them in a dedicated and self-giving way, as Christ did."

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AUDIENCE WITH ITALIAN AND UKRAINIAN PILGRIMS

VATICAN CITY, MAY 27, 2000 (VIS) - In St. Peter's Square at midday today, the Pope received 10,000 pilgrims from the Italian diocese of Pozzuoli and from various Italian parishes, as well as a group from the Ukrainian armed forces.

The Holy Father told the faithful from Pozzuoli that "a sense of hospitality, a willingness to seriously face the Gospel and thoughtful cordiality in attending to those in need, are all values that are part of your heritage and that you must also cultivate as an essential element of your union with Christ."

"Faithful to the Gospel, your people have, in these last two millennia, conserved their faith and their bond of communion with the head of the apostolic college. Nothing has ever weakened this faithfulness, neither difficulty nor suffering, neither obstacles nor the natural disasters - volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, seismic activity - that have affected your land."

Referring to evangelization, John Paul II indicated that, in order for the announcement of Christ to have a profound impact, "all apostolic initiatives must be accompanied by unceasing human promotion" and by prayer.

Then, turning to a group of parishioners, the Pope emphasized his desire that "the providential period of the Holy Year be a strong call to render yourselves instruments of the grace of the Lord, Who brings salvation and renewal to those who are humble of spirit and open to truth."

Speaking Ukrainian to members of the armed forces of the Ukraine, who have come to Rome for the occasion of their Jubilee, he said: "Your Jubilee itinerary, which began at the foot of the grotto of Lourdes, today brings you to the tombs of the Apostles. Dear friends, from this reflective and prayerful pause draw the strength and courage to remain faithful to the Gospel and, in Christ's name, become true servants of justice and peace."

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DIOCESE OF ROME AND JUBILEE PILGRIMS ENTRUSTED TO MARY

VATICAN CITY, MAY 28, 2000 (VIS) - Before praying the Regina Coeli with the tens of thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square for the Jubilee of the diocese of Rome, the Pope entrusted the fruits of this Jubilee to Mary, asking that "all who live in Rome might preserve a strong faith and sincere love for Jesus, the only Savior of the world."

He also asked Mary's aid for the forthcoming events: the Jubilee of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples from June 1-3, the Jubilee of Journalists on June 4 and the International Eucharistic Congress which takes place June 18-25.

In conclusion, the Holy Father entrusted all pilgrims to the Blessed Virgin. He noted that the month of May, which is dedicated to Mary, "is coming to an end, and will conclude on May 31 with the liturgical feast of the Visitation, which recalls Mary's visit to her cousin Elizabeth. Almost everywhere on that day there will be Marian celebrations, including in the Vatican where there will be the traditional evening procession to the Grotto of Lourdes.

"At Lourdes, as in Fatima, the Mother of God gave mankind the same message: prayer and penance, which echoes the Gospel warning: Be vigilant and pray! Only in this fashion can peace triumph in hearts, among men and women and among peoples."

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ROME IS A POINT OF REFERENCE FOR COMMUNION AND UNITY

VATICAN CITY, MAY 28, 2000 (VIS) - This morning in St. Peter's Square, the Pope presided at a concelebration of the Eucharist for the occasion of the Jubilee of the diocese of Rome. Taking part in the event were thousands of priests, religious and lay people from parishes, associations, movements and ecclesial groups in the city.

Before the start of Mass, Cardinal Camillo Ruini, vicar general for the diocese of Rome, made a brief address in which he expressed gratitude to God for the "the gift He gave us in having Your Holiness as our Bishop and pastor." As a sign of admiration and felicitation for his 80th birthday, he told the Pope: "Your diocese of Rome is dedicating the new parish that is being inaugurated today in a new neighborhood to St. Charles Borromeo, your celestial patron."

In his homily, the Holy Father recalled that during the Jubilee, many pilgrims have come to Rome "to profess Peter's same faith in Christ, Son of the Living God. This demonstrates once again the special vocation that divine Providence has reserved for Rome: that of being a reference point for the communion and unity of the whole Church and for the spiritual recuperation of all humanity."

The Pope gave thanks for the "great pastoral vitality and ardent evangelizing drive" of the Church of Rome in the last few years. "It is important that, from now on, there be a general effort to make the 'spirit of the Citizens' Mission' penetrate ever more deeply into the normal and everyday pastoral care of parishes and ecclesial bodies. This must be considered by everyone as a 'permanent commitment' and must involve all God's people, starting with those missionaries,' priests, religious and laity who have directly experienced the beauty and joy of evangelization.

"Precisely in view of this essential renewal within families and urban environments, it is more than ever necessary that in the coming pastoral year the fruits of the road travelled thus far be attentively examined."

John Paul II exhorted the Church in Rome to be aware of "how special your mission is, especially as regards the Jubilee! Do not be discouraged by the difficulties that you meet on your daily journey. You are supported by the witness of the Apostles, Peter and Paul who consecrated your birth with their blood, and encouraged by the example of saints and martyrs."

At the end of Mass, 40 children from various Roman primary schools danced before the Pope. After their performance, they approached the Holy Father who embraced and kissed them.

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POPE TO PRESIDE CONCLUSION OF EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS

VATICAN CITY, MAY 27, 2000 (VIS) - Pope John Paul II will preside at the "statio orbis" in St. Peter's Square on Sunday, June 25, at 6:30 p.m. for the conclusion of the 47th International Eucharist Congress, according to a note published today by the Prefecture of the Papal Household. The solemn opening of this congress will take place the previous Sunday, June 18, in St. John Lateran Basilica.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAY 29, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Denis Sassou-N'Guesso, president of the Republic of the Congo, accompanied by his wife and an entourage.
- Archbishop Faustino Sainz Munoz, apostolic nuncio at the European Community.
- Petre Roman, Romanian foreign minister, accompanied by his entourage.
- Arcbishops Stephen Fumio Hamao and Francesco Gioia, respectively president and secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People.

On Saturday May 27, he received in separate audiences:

- Mohamed Hussein Said El-Sadr, ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt, accompanied by his wife on a farewell visit.
- Cardinal Lucas Moreira Neves O.P., prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.
- Cardinal Camillo Ruini, vicar general for the diocese of Rome and president of the Italian Episcopal Conference, and Archbishop Ennio Antonelli, emeritus of Perugia-Citta della Pieve, secretary general of the conference.

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TELEGRAM FOR THE DEATH OF LITHUANIAN CARDINAL SLADKEVICIUS

VATICAN CITY, MAY 29, 2000 (VIS) - John Paul II sent the following telegram to Archbishop Sigitas Tamkevicius S.J., of Kaunas, Lithuania, upon the death yesterday of Cardinal Vincentas Sladkevicius M.C.I., archbishop emeritus of Kaunas, at the age of 79:

"Having learnt with deep emotion of the demise of the venerable Cardinal Vincentas Sladkevicius, archbishop emeritus of Kaunas, Lithuania, I express my deep sadness for the passing of a zealous servant of the Lord who, in his long ecclesiastical ministry, was an authentic witness of the Gospel. He was a priest of great faith and fervent piety and, although prevented for many years from practicing his episcopal ministry and placed under confinement, he never allowed himself to be intimidated, always giving a shining example of indomitable faith in Divine Providence and faithful loyalty to the See of Peter. I give thanks to God for this heroic priest and bishop that He gave to His Church and raise fervent prayers that He may accept him into eternal joy. At the same time, I send to you, to the Lithuanian Church and to all those who share the pain for the death of this brother who was so dear to me, a comforting apostolic blessing."

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JOHN PAUL II TO LUNCH WITH HOMELESS AND VISIT A PRISON

VATICAN CITY, MAY 28, 2000 (VIS) - Archbishop Crescenzio Sepe, secretary of the Vatican's central Jubilee committee, confirmed today that, as part of the Holy Year celebrations, Pope John Paul II will share lunch with 200 poor and homeless people in the Paul VI Hall on June 15.

The archbishop also stated that the Pope will visit the Roman prison of Regina Coeli on July 9, the date set for Jubilee celebrations in prisons.

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, MAY 29, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Bishop Enrique Troncoso Troncoso of Iquique, Chile, as bishop of Melipilla (area 6,217, population 429,000, Catholics 352,000, priests 55, permanent deacons 28, religious 165), Chile.

On Saturday May 27, it was made public that he:

- Appointed Fr. Thomas Nguyen Van Tan, director of the propedeutic seminary in Vinh Long (area 7,221, population 3,500,000, Catholics 170,000, priests 130, religious 560), Vietnam, as coadjutor bishop of the same diocese. The bishop-elect was born in Bai xan, Vietnam, in 1940 and ordained a priest in 1969. He succeeds Bishop Raphael Nguyen Van Diep, whose resignation from the office of coadjutor bishop of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, in conformity with Canons 411 and 401, para. 2, of the Code of Canon Law.
- Appointed Fr. Paul Nguyen Binh Tinh P.S.S., rector of the major seminary of Hue, Vietnam, as coadjutor bishop of Da Nang (area 11,985, population 1,952,000, Catholics 52,000, priests 41, religious 328), Vietnam. The bishop-elect was born in Phat Diem, Vietnam, in 1930 and ordained a priest in 1960.

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