MEETING IN VATICAN FOR ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER

VATICAN CITY, AUG 14, 2000 (VIS) - At midday today, Fr. Ciro Benedettini C.P., vice-director of the Holy See Press Office, made the following declaration:

"Today Monday August 14, in the late morning, Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, secretary for Relations with States received in audience Shlomo Ben Ami, ad interim minister for foreign affairs of the State of Israel, who has come to the Vatican to exchange viewpoints on the Middle East peace process, particularly following the recent Camp David summit.

"The minister expressed the Israeli government's wish to continue negotiations, despite the difficulties, and to favor dialogue with the Palestinian Authority, with the help too of the international community.

"Archbishop Tauran explained the Holy See's well-known position on the peace process: respect for international law by all sides, especially as regards U.N. resolutions, and equal rights and duties for all peoples of the region. (These are) two indispensable requirements to put an end to a situation of injustice and insecurity.

"Part of the conversation was also dedicated to protection of the Holy Sites of the three great religions in the Holy Land and, especially, of those sites in the city of Jerusalem that, for the Holy See, constitute a heritage sacred to all believers and that have a universal value.

"Archbishop Tauran also expressed his deep concern for the difficult situation that continues in Nazareth, caused by the project to build a mosque in front of the Basilica of the Annunciation.

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IN THE MAN OF THE HOLY SHROUD, DIVINE LOVE SPEAKS TO THE HEART

VATICAN CITY, AUG 13, 2000 (VIS) - At midday today, prior to praying the angelus with the faithful at Castelgandolfo, the Pope recalled that yesterday in Turin, Italy, the exposition of the Holy Shroud was inaugurated and that on August 15, he will welcome participants in World Youth Day.

"Whenever people have the possibility to contemplate (the Shroud of Turin)," said the Holy Father, "they are profoundly moved by the experience. This happened to me also. Indeed, with great emotion I recall my visits: the first a few months prior to my election to the See of Peter, the second during a visit to Turin in 1980 and the third in my May 1998 pilgrimage, following the fire that almost caused such serious damage. Each occasion was a profound experience of grace! In the man of the Shroud, God's infinite love speaks to the heart of all men."

John Paul II affirmed that "many young people have arranged to meet in Turin for the beginning of the exposition of the Shroud (which will be on display until October 22). This too is a providential coincidence."

He continued: "The opening has been arranged as a kind of introduction to World Youth Day which is now almost upon us. In Rome on the afternoon of August 15, I will have the joy of welcoming the participants in this extraordinary world gathering."

The Pope invited everyone to pray "that all those who come to Rome for World Youth Day may meet Christ and, by Him, be strengthened in faith and in the will to follow Him coherently."

After reciting the angelus, the Holy Father gave greetings in various languages to the pilgrims gathered in the patio of the apostolic palace of Castelgandolfo.

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TO VOLUNTEERS: HELP PILGRIMS TO MEET CHRIST

VATICAN CITY, AUG 12, 2000 (VIS) - This morning on the patio of the apostolic palace of Castelgandolfo, John Paul II greeted various groups of pilgrims. Among them were Jubilee volunteers who had participated in a Mass celebrated in St. Peter's Square by Cardinal Camillo Ruini, vicar general for the diocese of Rome.

The Pope addressed some remarks to the delegation of volunteers at Castelgandolfo and to 20,000 others who, gathered in St. Peter's Square, were able to hear his words over the radio: "May God reward you for the attention and commitment that you show in the service to which you have been called." Help pilgrims who come to World Youth Day, "through efficient organization, to encounter Christ and to make this international meeting an unforgettable ecclesial experience. Help them, furthermore, to experience the beauty of meeting together inspired by positive feelings, in order to lay the foundations of a new humanity, one inspired by the values of fraternity and peace.

"My deep appreciation," he continued, "goes out to the directors and employees of the firm 'Sodexho' that is overseeing the distribution of meals in the canteens that have been prepared for World Youth Day. Their efforts are even more praiseworthy because they are foregoing some days of holiday to remain at the disposition of participants in this extraordinary jubilee event, and because they are donating one hour of their pay to the Pope's charity."

The Pope also greeted representatives of the "Schonstatt-Frauenbund," who have come to Rome on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the foundation of their association. "Women's spiritual strength," said the Pope, "lies precisely in the fact that God has especially entrusted them with life. May awareness of this vocation remind you of the dignity that, as women, you have received from God."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, AUG 14, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Cardinal Franciszek Macharski, archbishop of Krakow, Poland, as his special envoy to the Slovakian National Eucharistic Congress which is due to take place at Bratislava, Slovakia, from September 23 to 24.

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TOMORROW VIS WILL TRANSMIT FOR THE OPENING OF WYD

VATICAN CITY, AUG 14, 2000 (VIS) - Tomorrow, Solemnity of the Assumption of the Virgin, marks the opening of World Youth Day, which will run to August 20. For the occasion, VIS will transmit a special evening service on the Pope's welcome to the young people. The welcome ceremony is due to start at 6 p.m., Rome time. On Wednesday August 16, a holiday in the Vatican, there will be no service. Transmission will resume on Thursday August 17.


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