JUBILEE THEME: "THE UNIVERSITY FOR A NEW HUMANISM"

VATICAN CITY, SEP 9, 2000 (VIS) - This morning in the Paul VI Hall, the Holy Father welcomed 7,000 participants in the Jubilee of Universities and, in his speech, highlighted the theme of their meetings this past week: "The University for a New Humanism."

Prior to the Pope's arrival and speech, there was the Liturgy of the Word, an address by Archbishop Francois Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, and an introduction to today's Jubilee celebrations by Prof. Sergio Zaninelli, rector of Sacred Heart Catholic University. Various speakers then addressed the theme studied this week by the academic community, as well as recent trends in universities. There was also a presentation of a synthesis of the international congresses of the World Meeting of University Professors.

In opening remarks, the Pope pointed out that "the basic theme which you have considered - The University for a New Humanism - fits well with the Jubilee's rediscovery of the centrality of Christ. In fact, the event of the Incarnation touches the very depths of humanity. ... As men and women of learning, you never cease to enquire into the value of the human person."

"You have chosen," he went on, "to affirm the need for a university culture which is genuinely 'humanistic', - in the sense, primarily - that culture must correspond to the human person and overcome the temptations to a knowledge which yields to pragmatism. ... That is why you have emphasized that there is no contradiction, but rather a logical connection, between freedom of research and recognition of truth. It is to truth that all research looks. ... This is an aspect which needs to be underlined, lest we succumb to the climate of relativism to which a large part of today's culture falls prey. ... A culture without truth does not safeguard freedom but puts it at risk."

The Holy Father observed that "Christian humanism implies first of all an openness to the Transcendent. It is here that we find the truth and the grandeur of the human person." He added that we must be wary of "a culture which doubts the very ability of reason to arrive at the truth. This path runs the risk of misconstruing faith by reducing it to a feeling, to emotion, to art, in the end stripping faith of all critical foundation. ... Faith does not sprout from the ashes of reason!"

The Pope pointed to the "need for the human and natural sciences to enter into dialogue once again. ... Scientific and technological progress in our day puts into human hands possibilities which are both magnificent and frightening."

He urged those involved in scientific research to "make universities 'cultural laboratories' in which theology, philosophy, human sciences and natural sciences may engage in constructive dialogue, looking to the moral law as an intrinsic requirement of research."

"The humanism which we desire advocates a vision of society centered on the human person and his inalienable rights, on the values of justice and peace, on a correct relationship between individuals, society and the State, on the logic of solidarity and subsidiarity."

In closing, John Paul II recognized that "the university, too, ... is experiencing the trials of the present time. Nevertheless, it makes an irreplaceable contribution to culture.. ... The Church, which historically has played a primary role in the actual birth of universities, continues to look upon them with deep fondness."

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PENITENTIAL CELEBRATIONS LEAD TO CHRIST

VATICAN CITY, SEP 9, 2000 (VIS) - In the Vatican Basilica at 11 a.m., John Paul II received 2,500 Italian pilgrims from two dioceses and several parishes, as well as former students of the French seminary in Rome and faithful from the diocese of Saint Catherines in Canada.

The Pope recalled that today is the feast day of St. Peter Claver, "Jesuit priest, apostle to deported black people and model for those who still today make prodigious efforts to alleviate the conditions of the suffering. In the spirit of the Jubilee, his example helps us to comprehend one of the duties that arises from this fundamental event: attention to those who, constrained by circumstance, abandon their countries and suffer torment at the hands of those who take advantage of the poverty of others."

"Through individual confession and the special penitential celebrations of the Jubilee, as well as through the celebration of other Sacraments, the believer undertakes a journey that leads to Christ."

Addressing priests and bishops who were former students of Rome's French seminary, the Holy Father encouraged the directors of the seminary to "carry out their mission, so important for the life of the Church, in the hope that the French seminary may continue to be, especially for the Francophone world, a special place for the flowering of numerous generations of priests, called to be 'heralds of the Gospel' for the new millennium."

The Pope expressed the wish that their stay in Rome would give pilgrims from the diocese of Saint Catherines in Canada, "a new and deeper experience of God's mercy, so that when you return to Canada you will bear more powerful witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Savior of the world."

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UNIVERSITY'S' TASK IS TO ANNOUNCE, DEFEND AND PROPAGATE TRUTH

VATICAN CITY, SEP 10, 2000 (VIS) - This morning, John Paul II presided at a Eucharistic celebration in St. Peter's Square for the occasion of the Jubilee of Universities. In his homily he sought to highlight that the vocation of professors and students is "to make of the university an environment where knowledge is cultivated and a place where people find method, knowledge and the encouragement to render qualified service to society."

Commenting today's liturgy of the Word, the Pope asked whether "the deaf-mute mentioned in the Gospel does not perhaps evoke the situation of those who do not manage to establish a communication that gives true meaning to existence? In a certain way, it leads us to think of the man who closes himself in a presumed autonomy, in which he ends up being isolated before God and often, also before his fellows. To this man, ... Jesus offers the extraordinary opportunity to encounter God who is love and who allows Himself to be known by those who love; He offers them salvation."

The Pope continued: "For you, dear brothers and sisters, who are committed to study and research, this word constitutes an appeal to open your spirit to the truth that makes you free. ... Every day, you are involved in announcing, defending and propagating truth. ... Even in research on aspects of life that seem completely removed from faith, there lies hidden a desire for truth and for meaning that goes beyond the specific and the contingent."
John Paul II highlighted that, "in the face of the challenge (to create) an authentic and integral new humanism, universities need people attentive to the Word of the one Master, they need qualified professionals and credible witnesses of Christ. Certainly not an easy mission, it requires constant commitment, it is nourished by prayer and study and is expressed in the normality of everyday life."

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SECRETARY OF STATE ADDRESSES U.N. MILLENNIUM SUMMIT

VATICAN CITY, SEP 9, 2000 (VIS) - Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano spoke yesterday in New York at the United Nations' Millennium Summit, which opened on September 6 in the presence of more than 150 world leaders.
"It is the fervent hope of the Holy See," the cardinal began, speaking French, "that at the dawn of the third millennium the U.N. will contribute to the building of a new civilization for the benefit of all mankind, a civilization which has been called the 'civilization of love'."

Outlining the U.N.'s tasks, he said that "the first duty of the United Nations is to preserve and promote peace throughout the world. This was the essential aim of the founders of the Organization and it remains an imperative today. Still too often war brings affliction and suffering to peoples. In the face of new outbreaks of violence, especially civil and ethnic conflicts, the UN is duty bound to intervene within the framework of its Charter to restore peace.

"In the name of the Pope I pay tribute to all that the U.N. has already done in this field, and I pay homage to the memory of the soldiers and civil personnel who have died in the course of peace-keeping operations."

Cardinal Sodano added that "peace is always fragile and it is important to try to forestall outbreaks of conflict, as well as to keep them from spreading. This is why the U.N. needs to develop its capacities in the area of preventive diplomacy."

"The second duty of the U.N." he went on, "is the promotion of development. Even today a significant part of the world's population lives in conditions of poverty which are an offense to human dignity. This is all the more unacceptable when at the same time wealth is rapidly increasing and the gap between rich and poor is growing wider, even inside the same country.

"Furthermore, other evils such as war, the destruction of the environment, natural disasters and epidemics are often exacerbated by the presence of poverty. How can we not draw attention to the fact that the majority of these scourges affect Africa in the first place?"

The Holy See representative observed that "the present situation calls for a moral and financial mobilization, directed to precise objectives, and with a view to obtaining a drastic reduction of poverty. Among these objectives, there is the introduction of incisive measures for the cancellation of the debt of poorer countries, the increase of development aid, and wider access to markets."

"The third duty of the United Nations," he went on, "is the promotion of human rights. Many documents have been drawn up. ... These efforts must continue, since the struggle for human rights never ends, and I would make special mention of the first of these (rights), the right to life, which is so endangered today.

"Pope John Paul II expresses his support for the World Conference against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, to take place next year in South Africa, and he encourages every initiative aimed at preventing the spread of racism and intolerance."
The secretary of state affirmed that, "in addition to this concrete approach to human rights, human rights must be affirmed by giving them a solid ethical basis, for otherwise they will remain fragile and without foundations. In this regard, it is necessary to reaffirm that no one creates or concedes human rights; rather, they are inherent in human nature."

He proceeded to say that "a fourth duty of the U.N. is that of guaranteeing the equality of all its members. ... It is essential to listen to and respect each member when it comes to taking common decisions, and all the more so when deciding policies that concern fundamental moral and cultural values. In this area, it is not licit to try to impose certain minority modes of living in the name of a subjective understanding of progress. 'The Peoples of the United Nations', mentioned in the Preamble of the Charter, have the right to have their dignity and traditions respected."

In closing remarks, Cardinal Sodano said he "wished to recall the position of the Holy See with regard to sanctions imposed by the Organization to oblige a State to carry out its international obligations. A precise process of evaluation and revision should be put in place in each case, as well as procedures to ensure that these measures will not weigh above all on innocent segments of the population."

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POPE WELCOMES TEACHERS, STUDENTS FROM POLISH UNIVERSITY

VATICAN CITY, SEP 11, 2000 (VIS) - Today in the Paul VI Hall, the Holy Father received 500 teachers and students from his alma mater, the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland, who came to Rome for the concluding ceremonies of the Jubilee of Universities.

The Pope cited his words during a 1997 encounter with Jagiellonian faculty and students when he said that "the duty of an academic institution is in a certain sense to form souls for wisdom and knowledge, for the formation of minds and hearts." He added that the principles of serving the truth and creating critical consciences and ethical sensitivities belong as much to the university today as they did in the past.

"Taking into consideration the future of Poland and of Europe," he observed, "I wish to note a very concrete duty facing academic institutions in Poland, especially the Jagiellonian University. It is a question of forming in the nation a healthy spirit of patriotism. ... What has always been alive here is the awareness that the homeland is a patrimony which not only includes a certain reserve of material goods on a given territory, but is above all a treasure, unique of its kind, of spiritual values and contents, that is to say, of everything which composes the culture of a nation."

In closing, John Paul II said that "Poland needs enlightened patriots, capable of sacrifice for love of country, and at the same time prepared for a creative exchange of spiritual patrimony with the nations of Europe who are being unified."

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ANGELUS: GREETINGS TO UNIVERSITY TEACHERS AND STUDENTS

VATICAN CITY, SEP 10, 2000 (VIS) - Following today's Mass in St. Peter's Square for the Jubilee of Universities, Pope John Paul greeted teachers and students present in the square, as well as those around the world, in Italian, French, English, Spanish, Portuguese, German and Polish.

"May this encounter," he said in French, "help you to always be predisposed to the Truth and to follow audaciously your commitments in favor of the dignity of the person and his human and spiritual growth."

The Holy Father told English-speaking participants: "I pray that each of you, together with the institutions from which you come and the students whom you guide along the paths of higher learning, will ever be filled with the light and strength of the Holy Spirit, so that the new generations will always have the flame of faith, hope and love burning brightly in them!"

To those representing Polish universities, the Pope said: "May the grace of Christ, the Master, bring support and inspiration in your scientific and teaching work. Bring my greetings to all universities in Poland."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, SEP 11, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience Mireya Elisa Moscoso Rodriguez, president of the Republic of Panama, accompanied by her entourage.

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TELEGRAM FOR VICTIMS OF MUDSLIDE IN ITALY

VATICAN CITY, SEP 11, 2000 (VIS) - Following is the telegram sent today in the Holy Father's name by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of state, to Archbishop Antonio Cantisani, president of the episcopal conference of Calabria, Italy, where a mudslide early yesterday morning caused numerous victims and much damage:

"In the face of the dramatic events which took place in the region of Calabria following torrential rains which caused disastrous flooding and mudslides in various parts of the Ionian coast and in particular in the area of Soverato, the Holy Father charges Your Excellency to express to the families and friends of the victims his sentiments of the deepest participation in their pain for the tragic effects of this powerful natural calamity. With a heart filled with sadness, and with assurance of his fervent prayers for the repose of the souls of the deceased, the Supreme Pontiff shows great appreciation for all who in various ways are undertaking rescue operations. He asks God through Mary, comforter of the afflicted, to send comfort to the wounded and to all who suffered the consequences of this serious calamity and he sends everyone a special apostolic blessing as a special sign of his spiritual closeness."

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