SPIRITUAL EXERCISES OF THE ROMAN CURIA BEGIN SUNDAY

VATICAN CITY, MAR 2, 2001 (VIS) - At 6 p.m. on March 4, first Sunday of Lent, the annual spiritual exercises of the Roman Curia will begin in the "Redemptoris Mater" Chapel of the Vatican, in the presence of the Holy Father. That evening there will be the recitation of Vespers, an introduction to the exercises, and Eucharistic Adoration.

Cardinal Francis George, O.M.I., archbishop of Chicago, U.S.A., will give the retreat meditations, on the theme: "A faith for all the people: conversion, freedom, and communion in Christ."

The program from Monday, March 5 to Friday, March 9 is the following: 9 a.m.: Morning Prayer and meditation; 10:15 a.m.: Midday Prayer, meditation; 5 p.m.: Vespers and meditation; 6:15 p.m.: meditation, Rosary, Adoration, and Eucharistic Benediction. The spiritual exercises will conclude on Saturday morning, March 10, with the recitation of Morning Prayer.

During the retreat all audiences will be suspended, including the weekly Wednesday general audience.

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JOHN PAUL II RECEIVES PRESIDENT LAHOUD OF LEBANON

VATICAN CITY, MAR 2, 2001 (VIS) - Joaquin Navarro-Valls, director of the Holy See Press Office, made the following declaration early this afternoon:

"The Holy Father received in audience this morning Emile Lahoud, president of the Republic of Lebanon.

"After his talk with the Pope, the Lebanese president was received by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of state, and by Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, secretary for Relations with States.

"The talks offered the opportunity to reaffirm the particular ties that unite Lebanon and the Holy See, the latter hoping that this country can reclaim the position due it in the Middle East.

"Special attention was dedicated to the problem of those who have had to abandon the southern regions in the last months: the hope was expressed that everyone can return to their homes as soon as possible.

"In addition, the opinion was expressed that only an authentic avenue of national reconciliation will allow the country to overcome current difficulties and to become again a 'message' of coexistence among the populations of diverse cultures and religions."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAR 2, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience:

- Guennadi Uranov, ambassador of the Russian Federation, with his wife, on a farewell visit.
- Archbishop Jose Dimas Cedeno Delgado of Panama, Panama, on an "ad limina" visit.
- Emile Lahoud, president of the Republic of Lebanon, accompanied by his wife and an entourage.
- Three prelates of the Panamanian Episcopal Conference, on the occasion of their "ad limina" visit:
- Bishop Carlos Maria Ariz Bolea of Colon-Kuna Yala.
- Bishop Jose Luis Lacunza Maetrojuan of David.
- Bishop Oscar Mario Brown Jimenez of Santiago de Veraguas.

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

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