POPE WELCOMES FRANCISCANS SISTERS ON FIRST GENERAL CHAPTER

VATICAN CITY, JUN 15, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father this morning welcomed the Franciscan Sisters of Mary Immaculate on the occasion of their first general chapter. He said that this Jubilee year meeting "will help you to reflect with special intensity on your mission, following the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi and he who best knew how, in our days, to make his spirit concrete, St. Maximilian Kolbe."

"Mary Immaculate was the inspiration for St. Maximilian Kolbe's entire life," stated the Pope. "And your institute, which, in addition to the three traditional religious vows has a Marian vow, is dedicated to Mary Immaculate; thus each religious consecrates herself totally to Mary for the coming of the Kingdom of Christ throughout the world."

"Imitate Mary's thoughtfulness in service to one's neighbor, seeking always to be assiduous in work and zealous in your apostolate. ... As consecrated persons, and in a special way as Franciscan Missionaries of Mary Immaculate, you are called to be 'signs of God's tender love towards the human race, and to be special witnesses to the mystery of the Church, Virgin, Bride and Mother'."

Pope John Paul remarked that Mary's response to "the divine plans, ... her 'fiat', was the central driving force of her mission. Thus, your 'fiat' to God will be the secret of the success of your mission. To be efficacious witnesses to the Gospel, especially among the poor and those in difficulty, it is indispensable that you abandon yourselves totally to the hands of the Lord and keep your hearts open to His divine plans."

He concluded by highlighting the importance of the Eucharist from which "come the graces which support missionaries in their daily evangelizing activity."

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GUATEMALA: THE MURDER OF BISHOP GERARDI MUST BE SOLVED

VATICAN CITY, JUN 15, 2000 (VIS) - John Paul II today received the Letters of Credence of the new ambassador from Guatemala, Acisclo Valladares Molina. In his speech, the Holy Father laid emphasis on the "new era for all Guatemalans" that began following the signing of the peace agreements at the end of 1996.

"In this matter," he said, "it is a source of satisfaction that, over the last few years, the nation has been able to live a peaceful political climate with no great upheavals, even though it has inherited serious difficulties in coexistence. Among these it is necessary to highlight the still-unsolved murder (in 1998) of (the auxiliary of Guatemala) Bishop Gerardi, and the delicate economic situation. The country has shown that it can face its own destiny through normal democratic activity that ensures the participation of all citizens in the nation's political choices."

The Pope indicated that, following the signing of the peace agreement it is essential "to continue building the country on solid and stable principles, such as respect for the dignity of all human beings and for the legitimate rights of communities and the various ethnic groups. It is also important to constantly respect, in the face of any attempted violation, the principles of the division and independence of the three powers that are the basis of democracy in a legal State.

"A solid and hopeful future," he continued, "requires that one not abandon the basic values and institutions of all societies, such as the family, the protection of minors and the most neglected and, furthermore, that the very foundations of law, liberty and the dignity of persons not be undermined by threatening life from the moment of conception."

The Holy Father also requested greater attention for indigenous peoples, "whose access to an ever better and more dignified life - both quantitatively and qualitatively in sectors such as education, health care, infrastructures and other services - must be realized in respect of their cultures, which are so deserving of consideration."

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FIRST MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE SYNOD FOR EUROPE

VATICAN CITY, JUN 15, 2000 (VIS) - Made public today was a communique announcing that the first meeting of the Council of the General Secretariat of the Second Special Assembly for Europe of the Synod of Bishops was held from June 6 to 8. The meeting was presided over by Cardinal Jan Schotte C.I.C.M., secretary general of the synod.

During the meeting, which was attended by two cardinals, ten archbishops and bishops and four members of the general secretariat, information was exchanged on the repercussions of the European synod in the various local Churches. The synod was held in the Vatican from October 1 to 23, 1999.

Following this suggestions were put forward with a view to drafting the post-synodal document. The work group was divided into two sub-groups, each of which presented a report. In the final plenary session, the texts from the two sub-groups were submitted and discussed.

The second meeting will be held from November 21 to 23, 2000.

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"YOU ARE IN THE POPE'S HEART," JOHN PAUL TELLS THE POOR

VATICAN CITY, JUN 15, 2000 (VIS) - Pope John Paul, joined by a number of cardinals and bishops, had lunch today in the atrium of the Paul VI Hall with 200 poor and homeless people. He told them that "among the many Jubilee appointments this one today is surely the most heart-felt and meaningful. I wished to meet you and to share this meal with you to tell you that you are in the Pope's heart. With great affection I embrace each of you, friends who are very dear to me."

"Certainly the time that I will spend with you is very brief," said the Holy Father, "but I assure you that every day I follow you with affection and prayer. As I look at you, one by one, I think of how many others, in Rome as in every part of the world, are going through moments of trials and difficulties. I would like to approach each one to tell them: Don't feel alone, because God loves you. The Pope loves you, dear brothers and sisters, and with him the entire Church opens her arms to you in welcome and fraternity."

John Paul II then remarked that "our lunch, in its simplicity, represents a meaningful preparation" for the International Eucharistic Congress which opens in Rome on June 18 and which "is the heart of the Jubilee Year." He said "today we find ourselves around the material table; together, and in greater numbers, next week we will approach the spiritual table, the banquet of the Eucharist, to celebrate God's love which makes us brothers who feel solidarity for each other."

He concluded by thanking the guests for their presence, the people who organized and cooked today's meal and those who provided entertainment.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JUN 15, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Archbishop Mario Zenari, apostolic nuncio in the Ivory Coast, Niger and Burkina Faso.
- Bishop Jayme Henrique Chemello of Pelotas, president of the Brazilian Episcopal Conference, accompanied by Archbishop Marcelo Pinto Carvalheira of Paraiba and Bishop Raymundo Damasceno Assis, auxiliary of Brasilia, respectively vice-president and secretary general of the same episcopal conference.
- Bishop Nicolas Huynh Van Nghi of Phan Thiet, Vietnam, on his "ad limina" visit.
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