POPE COMMEMORATES CONVERSION OF PAUL AT MASS IN DAMASCUS

VATICAN CITY, MAY 6, 2001 (VIS) - At 9:30 this morning in Damascus' Abbassyine Stadium, in the presence of representatives of the Orthodox Churches of Syria, Pope John Paul presided at a concelebrated Mass with the Catholic patriarchs and bishops of Syria and all cardinals and bishops present in Damascus for the papal pilgrimage. The Eucharist was celebrated according to the Roman rite with the participation of all Catholic rites: Armenian, Chaldean, Greek, Latin, Maronite and Syrian. An estimated 40,000 faithful filled the stadium.

"It is as a pilgrim," began the Pope, "that I have come today to Damascus, to commemorate the event which took place here two thousand years ago: the conversion of Saint Paul. On his way to Damascus to oppose and imprison those who confessed the name of Jesus, ... the Risen Christ appears to him; the meeting deeply affects him and a profound inner transformation takes place. From being a persecutor he becomes an apostle, from an opponent of the Gospel, he becomes its missionary."

The Holy Father affirmed that "the extraordinary event that took place not far from here was decisive for the future of Paul and the Church. ... Down to our own time the Church continues to bear the fruits of his apostolic activity." Following Paul's example, "the Church is invited to look to the ends of the earth in order to continue the mission entrusted to her to transmit the light of the Risen One to all peoples and cultures, while respecting the freedom of individuals and communities, including spiritual communities." He said that, "like Paul, the disciples of Christ face a great challenge: they are to transmit the Good News by expressing it in a manner suited to each culture, without losing its content or altering its meaning."

The Pope underscored that "this joyful news should inspire all Christ's disciples to seek ardently the paths of unity. ... At the dawn of the new millennium Christ is calling us all to come closer to one another in the charity which forms our unity."

"With all your compatriots," John Paul II told the faithful present, "without distinction of community, continue tirelessly your efforts to build a society marked by fraternity, justice and solidarity, where everyone's human dignity and fundamental rights are recognized. In this holy land, Christians, Muslims and Jews are called to work together, with confidence and boldness, and to work to bring about without delay the day when the legitimate rights of all peoples are respected and they can live in peace and mutual understanding. Among you, may the poor, the sick, the handicapped and all those hurt by life be always brothers and sisters who are respected and loved! The Gospel is a powerful element in the transformation of the world. By your witness of life, may people today find the response to their deepest aspirations and the foundations for social coexistence!"

The Holy Father invited Christian families "to pass on to your children the faith you have received over the centuries since the time of the Apostle Paul. By remaining united and open to all, by always defending the right to life from conception, be homes of light, in full conformity to God's plan and the true requirements of the human person! Give significant time to prayer, to listening to God's word and to Christian education; in them you will find effective support to tackle the difficulties of daily life and the great challenges of today's world. Any faithful and consistent Christian life requires regular participation in the Sunday Eucharist. The Eucharist is a privileged gift where communion with God and others comes about and is proclaimed."

After Mass, in reflections which preceded the Regina Coeli prayer, Pope John Paul spoke of the "filial love" which Christians in Syria have for "Mary, Mother of God, who is likewise respected by our Muslim brothers and sisters." He said he "regretted" that time "does not permit me to make a pilgrimage of prayer" to the churches and shrines dedicated to Mary in Syria. He assured the faithful they would be in his prayers when he visits the icon of Our Lady of Damascus in the Greek Catholic Church in Valletta, Malta, the last stage of his current pilgrimage.

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FIRST POPE TO VISIT SYRIA, JOHN PAUL PRESIDES ECUMENICAL SERVICE

VATICAN CITY, MAY 5, 2001 (VIS) - After an exuberant welcome ceremony this afternoon at the international airport of Damascus, Pope John Paul, the first pontiff ever to visit Syria, went to the apostolic nunciature in the capital. In mid-afternoon he paid a courtesy call on the president of the Syrian Arab Republic, Bashar Al-Asaad, who assumed the presidency shortly after the death of his father, Hafez Al-Asaad, on June 10, 2000.

Following the nearly hour-long visit, the Holy Father left for a 7 p.m. ecumenical encounter and Liturgy of the Word at Damascus' Greek-Orthodox Cathedral. Originally built in the second century, and known as 'Al-Mriamiyah' (the Marian One, in Arabic), the current cathedral is dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin Mary. Having been sacked, burned and undergone an earthquake over the centuries, the cathedral has been rebuilt many times. It has a capacity for 600 people.

Taking part in this evening's encounter and liturgy with John Paul II were the Catholic patriarchs and bishops of Syria, the cardinals and bishops of the papal entourage, Greek-Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, Ignace I Hazim, Syro-Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, and representatives of other Churches and non-Catholic ecclesial communities of Syria.

Addressing the assembly in French, the Pope remarked that, in early centuries "the Church in Syria was quick to show an extraordinary flourishing of Christian life. With good reason the Council of Nicea recognized the primacy of Antioch over the metropolitan Churches of the region. ... May God be praised for the witness and the influence of the ancient patriarchate of Antioch!

"Unfortunately," he said, "the unity of the illustrious patriarchate of Antioch was lost through the centuries, and we must hope that the different patriarchates existing now will once again find the path that leads to full communion."

The Pope spoke of "the process of ecumenical rapprochement that has begun between the Greek Orthodox and Greek Catholic patriarchates," saying "I thank the Lord for this with all my heart." Urging all involved to pursue this process, John Paul II reaffirmed his "desire that the Mixed International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Churches may soon be able to continue its work in the most appropriate way. The more this dialogue touches upon central questions, the more demanding it will become. This is no cause for surprise, but still less an excuse for lethargy."

He also highlighted "the deepening of fraternal relations between the Syrian Orthodox patriarchate and the Syrian Catholic patriarchate," again thanking all those involved in pursuing ecumenical dialogue.

"In the course of time," the Holy Father went on, "and especially at the start of the 20th century, Armenian, Chaldean and Assyrian communities, forced by violence to leave their homelands, came to the Christian quarters of Damascus, Aleppo, Homs and other parts of the region. In Syria they found refuge, a place of security and peace. I give the Lord thanks for this hospitality offered by the Syrian people."

"Just a few weeks ago," said John Paul II, "we had the great joy of being able to celebrate the feast of Easter on the same day. For me this happy coincidence in the year 2001 was a pressing invitation of Providence, addressed to all the Churches and Ecclesial Communities, to return without delay to a common celebration of the Paschal Feast, the feast of all feasts, the central mystery of our faith. ... Yet this process seems more difficult than anticipated. Is it perhaps necessary to envisage intermediate or gradual stages. in order to prepare minds and hearts for the implementation of an arrangement acceptable to all Christians of East and West?"

"A few weeks from now, we shall celebrate together the feast of Pentecost," he concluded. "Let us implore the Spirit to make us grow in holiness, for there is no lasting unity which is not based upon humility, conversion and pardon, and therefore upon sacrifice."

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HISTORIC VISIT: JOHN PAUL II IS FIRST POPE TO ENTER A MOSQUE

VATICAN CITY, MAY 6, 2001 (VIS) - This afternoon John Paul II, after his meeting with the Orthodox and Catholic clergy, religious and laity at the Syro-Orthodox Cathedral, went to the Omayyad Great Mosque, thus becoming the first pope ever to enter a Muslim mosque. Upon his arrival he was greeted by the Great Mufti of the Arab Republic of Syria, Sheikh Ahmad Kuftaro, and by the minister of the Waqf (religious goods).

The mosque was built in the 8th century, after the Arab conquest of Damascus, on the remains of preexisting buildings, including the cathedral of Damascus, dedicated to St. John the Baptist. The mosque was originally covered with marble and gold-based mosaics, which were the most extensive mosaic decorations ever made, covering over 4,000 square meters. They followed the iconoclast norms of Islam and depicted houses, palaces, vegetation, and streams of water, but no human beings. Part of these mosaics was destroyed over the years and another part was hidden under a layer of stucco, and rediscovered in 1928.

The Mosque of the Omayyads comprises the assembly place for the Friday prayer and preaching, as well as everything within the sacred enclosure, which is a complex of buildings: the Prayer Room, other rooms, and several Madrasa ("schools" of the Koran and of Arab epigraphy). The Prayer Room, which was entirely destroyed in the fire of 1893, was reconstructed according to the original design. Located within this room is the sepulchral monument of St. John the Baptist, the place in which, according to tradition, Emperor Theodosius buried the saint's skull.

As is customary, the Holy Father removed his shoes, put on white slippers and then entered the mosque. Upon reaching the mausoleum of St. John the Baptist, he remained in prayer for several minutes.

After leaving the sacred enclosure, John Paul II met with the region's Muslim representatives in the courtyard of the mosque, telling them: "Our meeting today in the Omayyad Mosque will signal our determination to advance interreligious dialogue between the Catholic Church and Islam. This dialogue has gained momentum in recent decades, and today we can be grateful for the road we have travelled together so far."

"It is important," he continued, "that Muslims and Christians continue to explore philosophical and theological questions together, in order to come to a more objective and comprehensive knowledge of each others' religious beliefs. Better mutual understanding will surely lead, at the practical level, to a new way of presenting our two religions, not in opposition, as has happened too often in the past, but in partnership for the good of the human family."

In conclusion the Holy Father affirmed that "the positive experiences" between Christians and Muslims, "must strengthen our communities in the hope of peace; and the negative experiences should not be allowed to undermine that hope. For all the times that Muslims and Christians have offended one another, we need to seek forgiveness from the Almighty and to offer each other forgiveness."

After his visit to the mosque, John Paul II went to the apostolic nunciature, where he dined and spent the night.

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HOLY FATHER MEETS ORTHODOX AND CATHOLIC CLERGY AND RELIGIOUS

VATICAN CITY, MAY 6, 2001 (VIS) - At 5 this afternoon, following his lunch and meeting earlier with the patriarchs and bishops of Syria, as well as from neighboring countries, in the Greek-Melkite Patriarchate of Damascus, Pope John Paul went to the Syrian Orthodox Cathedral for a meeting with priests, religious and the laity of the Orthodox and Catholic Churches. Also present were representatives of other Christian denominations.

He welcomed the patriarchs and bishops and extended "heartfelt greetings to the priests, monks and nuns, religious men and women, and all the faithful here present. I am truly happy to be among you!"

The Holy Father recalled that he was in Damascus "as a pilgrim in the footsteps of St. Paul. It was on the road to Damascus that the Apostle of Nations was claimed by Jesus Christ; and it was here that he received the light of the Holy Spirit and was baptized. Here, the Holy Spirit has now gathered us for this common prayer - to listen to the word of God, to implore His forgiveness for our sins and divisions, and to praise His infinite mercies."

"Here in Damascus," he continued, "the disciple Ananias was told in a vision to go to Saul, the persecutor of the Church. Despite his doubts and fears, Ananias obeyed the Lord and without hesitation he addressed the enemy of the Christians as 'brother'. Here we see two essential marks of the Church's mission: courageous obedience to God's word and a willingness to forgive and be reconciled."

John Paul II went on to say that "two further marks of our call to discipleship (are) prayer and endurance in the face of trials. Perhaps more than ever today, these will be the marks of our fidelity to God: to pray, to carry the Cross, to obey God's will and to honor everyone as a brother or sister."

In closing remarks, the Holy Father paid "homage to the entire Syrian tradition, with its rich unity in diversity," to its "wonderful creativity," and the figures in whom this appears: Sts. Paul, Ignatius of Antioch, Ephraem, John Chrysostom, John Damascene and Simeon Stylites, "a living icon of holiness" whose "prayer was ceaseless and his charity universal."

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MEETING WITH THE PATRIARCHS AND CATHOLIC BISHOPS OF SYRIA

VATICAN CITY, MAY 6, 2001 (VIS) - At the end of the morning, the Pope lunched in the Greek-Melchite Catholic Patriarchate of Damascus with the patriarchs and the 35 Catholic bishops of Syria, as well as the cardinals and bishops in his entourage. Also present were the Greek-Orthodox and Syro-Orthodox patriarchs.

In his discourse to the patriarchs and Catholic bishops, the Holy Father emphasized that "the Catholic Church in Syria exists in a situation of great diversity, with the simultaneous presence of several Churches 'sui iuris' each representing one of the many great and rich traditions of the Christian East." The Pope then affirmed that coordination is indispensable, despite the difficulties, "in order to provide a better pastoral service to the faithful."

After underlining that "communion is in fact first a gift of God to His Church," John Paul II said: "This communion at the various levels of your different Churches takes nothing away from the episcopal communion which exists within your respective Synods. Rather, it is an expression which must constantly be put into practice and given fresh impetus."

"I wish to express once again," the Pope continued, "my admiration for the harmony which exists among the Christians of Syria. ... The true understanding which exists among the patriarchs, bishops and dignitaries of the Churches and Ecclesial Communities is a beautiful testimony to Christian love in a country where the majority of the citizens are Muslim in religion."

John Paul II affirmed that the faithful "deeply appreciate the opportunities to take part in common ecumenical prayer. This openness should be further strengthened and initiatives promoted in which the Churches can cooperate in all areas. Divisions among Christians hinder the spread of the Gospel." He added: "I encourage you to engage in genuine dialogue in daily life, a dialogue marked by mutual respect and hospitality."

After pointing out that one of the most persistent preoccupations of pastors is "the emigration of so many Christian families and many young people," the Holy Father affirmed that "contributing to increasing confidence in your country's future is one of the greatest services the Church can make to society. Another practical step is to encourage Christians to promote solidarity by sharing your people's difficulties and sufferings." Speaking of their great influence on young people, the Pope exhorted the bishops to "give youth a human and Christian ideal."

In conclusion, the Holy Father recalled that "interreligious dialogue and mutual cooperation, particularly between Christians and Muslims, is an important contribution to peace and understanding between people and communities."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, MAY 7, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Msgr. Yves Boivineau, episcopal vicar of Lucon, as bishop of Annecy (area 4,317, population 591,039, Catholics 500,000, priests 310, religious 294), France. The bishop-elect was born in Ardelay, France, in 1947, and ordained to the priesthood in 1973.

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TWENTY-SIX NEW SWISS GUARDS SWORN IN ON SUNDAY

VATICAN CITY, MAY 6, 2001 (VIS) - This afternoon in the San Damaso courtyard of Vatican City, 26 new recruits of the Swiss Guards were sworn in during a ceremony which commemorates the deaths of 147 guards who died on that same date in 1527 as they attempted to defend Pope Clement VII.

Twenty-one of the guards took their oath in German and five took it in French as they raised their right hand with three fingers extended indicating the Trinity and placed their left hand on the flag of the Swiss Guards. The corps was founded by Pope Julius II in 1506.

The new guards and their family members traditionally have an audience with the Holy Father but, given the Pope's pilgrimage this year to Greece, Syria and Malta, this meeting will be held upon his return.

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JOHN PAUL II, ON THE GOLAN HEIGHTS, PRAYS FOR PEACE

VATICAN CITY, MAY 7, 2001 (VIS) - At 7:30 this morning the Holy Father celebrated Mass in private in the apostolic nunciature in Damascus. At 9:30 he left for a visit to the ancient and very small Church of St. Paul at the St. Paul Memorial of Damascus and, following this, he departed for the 65-kilometer ride to the Greek Orthodox Church of Quneitra, a city on the Golan Heights.

The St. Paul Memorial was a gift by Pope Paul VI to the Christians of Damascus. It comprises a grotto, where tradition says Saul of Tarsus fell from his horse and was converted, a guest house and an ambulatory, all of which are entrusted to the Franciscans of the Custody of the Holy Land. Nearby is the Chapel of St. Ananias, first bishop of Damascus, allegedly built on the site of his home where he baptized Saul. The Church of the St. Paul Memorial, dedicated to the conversion of Paul, was consecrated in 1971. The Holy Father spoke briefly to the religious and lay people present for his visit and had special greetings for the Franciscans entrusted with the care of the memorial and the adjacent church.

The Pope's visit to Quneitra took place shortly after 11 a.m. Quneitra, which in arabic means "little archway," is a city on the Golan Heights, 35 kilometers from the Israeli border. Quneitra was occupied by the Israeli forces during the 1967 "six-day war" and then evacuated under a United Nations-sponsored accord. Before their withdrawal, Israeli forces destroyed all buildings which had not already been destroyed and the city today purposely remains as it was when turned over to U.N. forces. Today the city is under control of an Austrian contingent.

In the greatly damaged Greek-Orthodox Church, the Holy Father prayed for peace in the Middle East. Following a period of recollection and the reading of the prayer for peace which he personally composed, John Paul II blessed and watered an olive tree which will be planted in the Quneitra Friendship Garden, three kilometers from the city. He was warmly welcomed by descendants of the original residents of Quneitra and received gifts from them and from local children.

In his prayer, recited in the original English, the Pope prayed for the peoples of the Middle East, the civil leaders of the region, for all who believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and for the followers of all religions.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be sons of God," began the Pope. "From this place, so disfigured by war, I wish to raise my heart and voice in prayer for peace in the Holy Land and in the world. Genuine peace is a gift from God. Our openness to that gift requires a conversion of heart and a conscience obedient to His Law."

The prayer continued, saying in part:

"Lord, ... we pray to you for the peoples of the Middle East. Help them, to break down the walls of hostility and division and to build together a world of justice and solidarity."

"We pray for the civil leaders of this region, that they may strive to satisfy their peoples' rightful aspirations, and educate the young in ways of justice and peace. Inspire in them to work generously for the common good, to respect the inalienable dignity of every person and the fundamental rights which have their origin in the image and likeness of the Creator impressed upon each and every human being."

"Merciful Father, may all believers find the courage to forgive one another, so that the wounds of the past may be healed and not be a pretext for further suffering in the present."

At the end of his prayer, the Pope said three times "Salam!", that is, "peace." He also extended "a word of appreciation to the international force stationed here. Your presence is a sign of the international community's determination to be of assistance in bringing closer the day of harmony between the peoples, cultures and religions of the area."

He then added: "Having been told of the sad news of the conflict and death which even today come from Gaza, our prayer becomes ever more intense."

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