NUMEROUS PILGRIM GROUPS ARE WELCOMED BY HOLY FATHER

VATICAN CITY, OCT 21, 2000 (VIS) - Thousands of pilgrims, predominantly from Italian dioceses, were welcomed by Pope John Paul this morning in St. Peter's Square. He spoke briefly to each of these groups, and also welcomed the National Association of Firemen, the Lions Club of Caserta, Capuchin Friars from Umbria, and Hungarian students from the Cistercian-run high school in Pecs.

To the pilgrims from the diocesan vicariate of northern Bologna, the Pope recalled his visit there three years ago for the close of the National Eucharistic Congress. "Always keep alive in your souls the memory of that ecclesial event, which was a very important moment on the path of preparation for the Great Jubilee. There is, in fact, at the 'heart' of the Jubilee the Eucharistic Jesus, source and summit of all evangelization."

"The pilgrimage to the tombs of the Apostles," the Holy Father told the faithful from the diocese of Palestrina, "represents a strong invitation to experience pardon, reconciliation and a renewal of life, It is a call to renew every day the path of faith and participation in the life of the Christian community."

John Paul II told pilgrims from the diocese of Crema: "May the fascinating discovery of the real presence of the Risen Lord through listening to His Word and the 'breaking of bread' motivate you to deepen the communion and pastoral collaboration within your community and to renew your incentive to become proclaimers of the Gospel of salvation."

Concluding remarks were dedicated to members of the Italian Federation of Blood Donor Organizations. He said that "donating blood is a great gesture of solidarity, which ends up involving the deepest aspects of the human personality," and exhorted them "to enrich the various social and health activities with a solid spiritual formation."

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STUDYING IN ROME IS A PRIVILEGE AND A RESPONSIBILITY

VATICAN CITY, OCT 21, 2000 (VIS) - Yesterday evening in the Vatican Basilica, Archbishop Zenon Grocholewski, prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education, presided at a Eucharistic celebration marking the start of the academic year in the ecclesiastical universities. The Pope pronounced the homily and imparted the final blessing.

The Holy Father told the professors and students present that: "each of you should be aware of the gift of having the chance to complete your studies in Rome and, at the same time, you must realize the responsibilities associated with that privilege. You, indeed, are called to deepen your formation with a view to giving competent ecclesial service."

After expressing his appreciation and gratitude for the work of the superiors, professors and directors of ecclesiastical institutions in Rome, John Paul II said: "Your initiative, together with the high-level research and steadfast faithfulness to the Magisterium, show your love for Christ and for the Church and, I would say, the true missionary spirit with which you serve the Truth.

"On the eve of World Mission Day, I would like to emphasize that the work of those who teach and study in the ecclesiastical faculties is not separated from nor, still less, in contrast to the work of those who, so to say, operate 'on the front line.' We are all at the service of the Truth that is the Gospel of the Lord Christ. By its nature, the Gospel needs to be announced, yet such announcement presupposes a solid and deep awareness of the message in order for evangelization to be an effective service to God, to the Truth and to man."

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HOLY SEE APPEAL TO RESPECT HUMAN RIGHTS IN MIDDLE EAST

VATICAN CITY, OCT 21, 2000 (VIS) - Archbishop Giuseppe Bertello, apostolic nuncio and Holy See permanent observer, spoke on October 18 in Geneva at the fifth extraordinary session of the Human Rights Commission, which was held October 17-19. His talk in French, published today, focussed on protecting human rights in the Middle East.

He said that recent events in the Middle East show us that violations of human rights, or failing to respect them, "can unleash a series of violent, often uncontrollable actions." He pointed out that the Holy See appreciates and encourages efforts to bring peace to the Middle East but notes that "peace will never be true and lasting unless it is founded on international law, justice and respect for the rights of everyone."

"Despite the many and encouraging efforts to effect peace," remarked Archbishop Bertello, "we must point out the absence of respect for certain basic rights, such as the rights to security and to the free expression of one's own culture and history. ... As long as a people cannot enjoy their inalienable rights, there will always be situations of tension which, sooner or later, could degenerate into violence and feed sentiments of hatred and rancor, which reason will be unable to control."

"The enmity" of the two peoples who have lived here side by side "has lasted too long," said the nuncio. "These two peoples need to see their rights recognized: one to enjoy secure and peaceful conditions of life; the other to have a land and the possibility of self-government and to live in harmony and tranquillity with their neighbors."
Archbishop Bertello underscored Pope John Paul's words to refugees during his March visit to the Holy Land and to the Dheisheh camp when he said that the "degrading conditions in which they lived and the lack of basic rights they were experiencing were no longer "tolerable."

He concluded by citing Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: "All men are born free and equal in dignity and in rights. They are gifted with reason and conscience and must act towards each other in a fraternal spirit."

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AGREEMENT BETWEEN HOLY SEE AND ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN UNITY

VATICAN CITY, 21 OCT, 2000 (VIS) - On Thursday October 19, at the headquarters of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the "Cooperation Agreement between the Holy See and the Organization of African Unity" was signed by Archbishop Silvano M. Tomasi C.M., for the Holy See and by Salim Ahmed Salim, secretary general of the OAU.

The agreement, which consists of eight articles, opens the way to close collaboration between the Holy See and the OAU on questions of common interest such as education, healthcare, human rights and social matters. It also stipulates that the Holy See may attend, as observer, OAU-organized meetings that deal with matters of common interest. Regarding these matters, the agreement further stipulates that meetings be organized and information and documents exchanged; that there be technical cooperation and material assistance, and that activities be developed with a view to achieving common objectives.

Cardinal Bernardin Gantin, dean of the College of Cardinals, also took part in the event and made a speech. The cardinal from Benin spoke about the Holy See's presence in international relations in general and in international organizations in particular. He also mentioned the Holy See's presence in Africa through the Catholic Church and spoke about the OAU and the Holy See.

Among other things, Cardinal Gantin said that "the Holy See sincerely hopes that all Africans and African governments may respect the fundamental right of the Catholic Church to work and worship freely, in other words, that the members and institutions of the Church may enjoy complete liberty to remain at the service of their faithful and of all Africans, as well as to proclaim freely, through words and deeds, the message of Christ's love."

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ANNIVERSARY OF SISTERS OF THE HOLY FACE OF CHRIST

VATICAN CITY, OCT 21, 2000 (VIS) - Made public today was a message from the Pope addressed to Cardinal Fiorenzo Angelini, president emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers. The message marks the 50th anniversary of the Benedictine Reparation Sisters of the Holy Face of Our Lord Jesus Christ, a congregation the cardinal has spiritually tended for many years.

The congregation was founded in 1950 by Servant of God Ildebrando Gregori, then Benedictine abbot general. In his message, dated September 27, the Holy Father writes that "the constant reference to Christ's Holy Face has sustained the spirituality of those who, from the origins of the congregation to the present day, have committed themselves to making reparation for the daily offenses committed against the Lord."

John Paul II affirms that, thanks to an increase in vocations among the young, it had been possible to open new communities in India, Poland, Romania and Africa.

The Pope concludes by expressing the desire that this anniversary "be for each Reparation sister, an occasion for renewed enthusiasm for the gift of the vocation and that it may act as a stimulus to joyful witness of exemplary consecrated life."

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POPE PLANTS OLIVE TREE IN SOIL FROM FIVE CONTINENTS

VATICAN CITY, OCT 22, 2000 (VIS) - At the end of Mass this morning marking World Mission Day and the Jubilee of Missions, the Pope planted an olive tree in a wicker basket containing soil from five continents and hundreds of colored balloons were released as a symbol of the continents where missionaries render their service.

As he addressed the faithful, John Paul II first thanked the bishops, priests, religious and lay people from around the world who had taken part in the World Mission Congress, which preceded today's Jubilee celebrations.

"Every local Church," he said, "is born from mission, and the presence here of representatives from more than 100 countries shows the choral gratitude that is raised to heaven for the gift of evangelization received. In turn, every Church grows and matures when missionaries leave it to proclaim the Gospel to other peoples. This is the meaning of mandate, which today is conferred on many 'missionaries' with the consignment of the cross. Thus, this means at the start of a new millennium, a new courageous departure for a renewed missionary season."

Then, as he planted the olive tree, the Holy Father told the faithful that "from different countries, the congress participants have brought here a little bit of soil, which has been placed together in one container. In this 'soil from all lands', as a memory of this Jubilee day, an olive tree, a symbol of peace, is being planted. The Gospel of Christ is, in fact, the Gospel of peace. May all peoples open themselves to Christ and find the path to peace!"
Before reciting the angelus, the Pope then greeted all those present in seven languages.

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MISSION IS THE WORK OF ALL GOD'S PEOPLE

VATICAN CITY, OCT 22, 2000 (VIS) - In St. Peter's Square at 10 a.m. today in the presence of 70,000 faithful, John Paul II presided at a Eucharistic celebration marking World Mission Day. In his homily, the Pope highlighted that mission "is the work of all God's people, each in the vocation to which Providence calls them."

"Missionary commitment," said the Pope, "arises as a flame of love from the contemplation of Jesus and from the fascination He emanates." He affirmed that Jesus "did not come to be served but to serve and to give His own life for all. In Christ's footsteps, the giving of self to all men constitutes a fundamental imperative for the Church and, at the same time, indicates the method for her mission. The giving of self means, above all, recognizing others, their value and their needs."
The Holy Father recalled the numerous missionaries "who, day after day, in silence and without the support of any human power, announce and bear witness to their love for Jesus, often to the point of giving their lives, as also happened recently."

He continued: "Jesus' words on service are also the prophecy of a new style of relationship that must be promoted not only in the Christian community, but also in society. ... Unregulated competition, the desire to dominate others at all costs, the discrimination practiced by some who feel they are superior to others and the unbridled search for riches lie at the roots of injustice, violence and war. The words of Jesus become, then, an invitation to invoke peace."

Prior to finishing his homily, the Pope said: "Finally, I would like to recall the words I pronounced in this square 22 years ago: 'Do not be afraid! Open the doors to Christ!'"

At the end of Mass, the Pope consigned crosses to a number of missionaries whom he encouraged to go out into the world courageously, strengthened by the Holy Spirit, full of hope and with passion for the Gospel.

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, OCT 21, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed:

- Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos, prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, as his special envoy to the closing celebrations of the Chilean National Eucharistic Congress and to the dedication of the new cathedral of the diocese of San Bernardo, Chile. The two events are due to take place on November 25 and 26.

- As members of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples: Archbishop Geraldo Majella Agnelo of Sao Salvador de Bahia, Brazil and Bishops Szilard Keresztes of Hajdudorog, Hungary, apostolic administrator of Miskolc, Hungary; Giuseppe Di Falco of Sulmona-Valva, Italy; Pierre Moleres of Bayonne, France; Salvatore Boccaccio of Frosinone-Veroli-Ferentino, Italy; Ramon Benito de La Rosa y Carpio of Nuestra Senora de la Altagracia en Higuey, Dominican Republic; Nicola De Angelis C.F.I.C., auxiliary of Toronto, Canada; Ramon C. Arguelles, military ordinary of the Philippines; Nicholas A. DiMarzio of Camden, U.S.A., and Patrick Harrington S.M.A., of Lodwar, Kenya.

- Msgr. Guerino Di Tora, director of Diocesan Caritas in Rome, as consultor of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples.

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POPE WELCOMES NEW AMBASSADOR FROM THE NETHERLANDS

VATICAN CITY, OCT 23, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father this morning received the Letters of Credence of the new ambassador from the Netherlands to the Holy See, Baron Hendrik Volkier Bentinck Van Schoonheten.

In his address in French, the Pope referred to the ambassador's talk and said: "As you so opportunely underlined, the moral value of respect for others is essential at all levels of relations between persons. Indeed, for our contemporaries to have confidence in the different institutions of civil society, above all it is important that they know they are respected and that their rights are fully recognized, of which the most important are the dignity of all human life, in the different stages of a person's existence, and religious freedom, which is a basic element of freedom of conscience. ... These diverse aspects of moral life are important elements for peace and for coexistence in the heart of a nation and among peoples."

"You know the attachment of the Catholic Church," John Paul II affirmed, "to marriage as a basic human reality and as the basic cell of society. No other form of relationship between persons can be considered as equivalent to this natural relationship between a man and a woman who, through their love, give birth to children. It must be remembered that all societies need basic structures in order to build on solid and objective foundations."

Turning to globalization, the Pope observed: "I am especially sensitive to your attention to the phenomena of poverty in the world and to the growing disparities between rich and poor countries. Many times during this Jubilee Year I have asked nations to envisage a stronger solidarity with the poorest countries, notably by alleviating their external debt."

"It is also important," he added, "that the peoples who produce raw materials be able to enjoy international growth and that the benefits do not accrue just to those countries who transform these materials or who make trade." He said that "social and institutional imbalances" in this sphere can lead to conflicts.

John Paul II concluded with praises for efforts to erase such imbalances and he invited leaders "to pursue and to intensify their action towards poor countries and regions where there are conflicts, notably in Africa and the Middle East."

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OCTOBER 22: START OF 23RD YEAR OF JOHN PAUL'S PONTIFICATE

VATICAN CITY, OCT 22, 2000 (VIS) - Today marks the 22nd anniversary of the solemn inauguration of the pontificate of John Paul II, who was elected to the papacy on October 16, 1978.

In the past 22 years, the Holy Father has made 92 pastoral visits outside of Italy, visiting 123 different nations, 138 pastoral visits within Italy and 291 visits to Roman parishes. John Paul II is the bishop of Rome.

He has written 13 encyclicals, 12 apostolic exhortations, 10 apostolic constitutions, 37 apostolic letters and 23 Motu proprio.

There have been 123 beatification ceremonies during which he has proclaimed 994 Blesseds (756 martyrs and 238 confessors), and 41 canonization ceremonies in which he proclaimed 447 Saints (401 martyrs and 46 confessors).

Pope John Paul has held 7 consistories in which he has created 157 cardinals. As of today, the College of Cardinals consists of 142 cardinals (98 eligible to vote and 44 over 80 years of age): Of these, 118 were created by the Holy Father (86 eligible to vote and 32 over 80 years of age).

He has also convened 5 plenary meetings of the College of Cardinals.

During John Paul II's pontificate there have been 14 synods of bishops: 5 ordinary general assemblies, 1 extraordinary general assembly, 7 special assemblies and 1 particular synod.
There have been over 1,260 audiences and meetings with political figures, including, in part, official visits with 38 heads of State, 621 other audiences and meetings with heads of State and 203 audiences and meetings with prime ministers.

In 22 years there have been 966 weekly general audiences with a presence of an estimated 15,600,000 faithful from every part of the world.

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CZECH REPUBLIC OFFERS A CONCERT TO THE HOLY FATHER

VATICAN CITY, OCT 22, 2000 (VIS) - This evening in the Paul VI Hall, the Holy Father attended a concert offered by the Czech Republic for the Jubilee. The choir of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Brno sang Franz Liszt's 'Christus.'

At the end of the concert, John Paul II expressed his thanks to Milos Zeman, Czech prime minister, and to other Czech authorities present at the event as well as to the conductor and members of the choir and orchestra.

"This evening's singular spiritual experience," said the Holy Father, "induces me to express the hope that the dignity of art and the heritage handed down to us by past generations may introduce man in the new millennium to a renewed contemplation of evangelical truth, which is the only guarantee for the construction of a new civilization, one founded on the respect for all people and cultures."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, OCT 23, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Corneille Mehissou, ambassador of Benin, accompanied by his wife, on a farewell visit.
- Cardinal Jozef Tomko, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
- Cardinal Francis Arinze, Bishop Michael Louis Fitzgerald and Msgr. Felix Anthony Machado, respectively president, secretary and under-secretary of the Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue.

On Saturday October 21, he received in separate audiences:

- Luis Solari Tudela, ambassador of Peru, on a farewell visit.
- Horacio Sanchez Unzueta, ambassador of Mexico, on a farewell visit.
- Archbishop Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

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