OPENING OF THE JUBILEE OF THE WORLD OF ENTERTAINMENT

VATICAN CITY, DEC 15, 2000 (VIS) - Archbishop John Foley, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, led the traditional Jubilee Year evening prayer in St. Peter's Square last night, on the vigil of the Jubilee of the World of Entertainment which officially opens today.

The first event of this jubilee celebration took place this morning at St. Mary Major Basilica. Archbishop Foley and Bishop Pierfranco Pastore, council secretary, greeted the participants and the archbishop delivered a homily during a marian celebration.

Later this afternoon Cardinal Giovanni Cheli will preside at a penitential service in the basilica of Holy Cross in Jerusalem, following which there will be a procession to St. John Lateran Basilica. Bishop Cesare Nosiglia, auxiliary of the diocese of Rome, will preside at a Eucharistic celebration in St. John Lateran.

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POPE THANKS CHRISTMAS CONCERT ARTISTS

VATICAN CITY, DEC 15, 2000 (VIS) - This morning, the Pope received in audience the artists who, on Saturday December 16, will participate in the traditional "Christmas in the Vatican" concert, which will be held in the Paul VI Hall.

John Paul II thanked the artists because "with their contribution, this special concert aims to help the vicariate of Rome accomplish the '50 churches for Rome 2000' project. This initiative is an important commitment to give - to those parishes that still do not have them - structures for worship, catechesis and for the many vital social, charitable and sporting activities." In the last 20 years, he added, the diocese of Rome "has been able to build 39 parish complexes; ten are being built and 12 are still in the planning stages."

After wishing the artists a happy Christmas, the Holy Father said: "Through the medium of television, may my affectionate greetings reach out to those who tune in to follow your performance."

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GUARANTEE LIBERTY AND DEMOCRACY IN ALL EUROPEAN NATIONS

VATICAN CITY, DEC 15, 2000 (VIS) - This morning, John Paul II received the Letters of Credence of Franjo Zenko, the new ambassador from the Republic of Croatia. In his address, the Pope recalled that the two visits he made to that country, in 1994 and 1998, had enabled him "to see at close range the spiritual strength of the Croatian people and the rich religious and cultural heritage they possess."

The Pope expressed the hope that the "pages of history, marked by unforgettable human and social tragedies, may help the countries of Europe to become ever more aware of the need to overcome together the tragic heritage of various totalitarian regimes, rendering Europe itself a common house, an area of effective solidarity permeated by the Gospel values that molded its history."

"Croatia," he went on, "is proceeding along the path of democracy. ... The progress of the last ten years is an encouragement to work towards an ever brighter future for the country."

The Holy Father emphasized that "all European nations, great and small, must be guaranteed liberty and democracy, with equal rights and duties. This is the road that leads to a future of stable peace and to an authentic development which will benefit not only Europe. Indeed, democracy must not be imposed or improvised; quite the contrary, it calls for education and support."

"Democracy," he continued, "requires that State structures be placed at the service of all citizens, not just of individual groups, and that a stable dialogue between all political and social tendencies be developed in a shared search for the common good, while maintaining respect for all and for each one."

John Paul II concluded by affirming that "it is vital to take the just and legitimate needs of families and young people into account, both in the socio-economic and the juridical-political spheres. It is necessary to protect the individual and human life at every stage, from conception to natural end. Families and young people justly aspire to be able to live and work honestly in order to build with trust a more serene future."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, DEC 15, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father erected the apostolic prefecture of Likouala (area 66,044, population 72,000, Catholics 21,000, priests 9, religious 2), Republic of the Congo, with territory taken from the diocese of Ouesso. He appointed Fr. Jean Gardin C.S.Sp., regional superior of the western region of Rennes, France, as apostolic prefect of Likouala.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, DEC 15, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience:

- Archbishop Lajos Kada, apostolic nuncio.
- Cardinal Alfonso Lopez Trujillo, Bishop Francisco Gil Hellin and Msgr. Francisco Di Felice, respectively president, secretary and under-secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Family.

This evening, he is scheduled to receive Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

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