AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, FEB 2, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father received today in separate audiences seven prelates of the Episcopal Conference of Albania, on the occasion of their "ad limina" visit.
- Archbishop Angelo Massafra of Shkrode, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Zef Simoni.
- Bishop Hil Kabashi, apostolic administrator of southern Albania.
- Msgr. Dode Gjergji, apostolic administrator of Sape.
- Fr. Ottavio Vitale, R.C.I., apostolic administrator of Lezhe.
- Fr. Prele Gjurashaj, O.F.M., apostolic administrator of Pult.
- Fr. Cristoforo Palmieri, C.M., apostolic administrator of Rreshen.

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, FEB 2, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Elevated the apostolic prefecture of Leticia, Colombia, to the status of apostolic vicariate, with the same denomination and territorial configuration. At the same time the Holy Father appointed Bishop Jose de Jesus Quintero Diaz as first apostolic vicar of Leticia (area 121,000, population 60,000, Catholics 57,000, priests 22, religious 35), Colombia, accepting his resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Tibu, Colombia, presented in accordance with Canon 401, para. 2, of the Code of Canon Law.

- Elevated the apostolic prefecture of San Adres y Providencia, Colombia, to the status of apostolic vicariate, with the same denomination and territorial configuration. He appointed Msgr. Eulises Gonzalez Sanchez, pastor of the Cathedral of Girardota, as the first apostolic vicar of San Andres y Providencia (area 52, population 84,000, Catholics 50,200, priests 9, permanent deacons 2, religious 26), Colombia. The bishop-elect was born in Tinjaca, Colombia, in 1938, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1968.

- Appointed Msgr. Casimiro Lopez Llorente, vicar general of the diocese of Osma-Soria, Spain, as bishop of Zamora (area 6,984, population 169,449, Catholics 168,449, priests 240, religious 590), Spain. The bishop-elect was born in Burgo de Osma, Spain, in 1950, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1975.

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