TELEGRAM FOR THE DEATH OF CARDINAL BILLE

VATICAN CITY, MAR 13, 2002 (VIS) - John Paul II sent a telegram of condolence to the diocesan administrator of Lyon, France, upon learning of the death yesterday at the age of 64 of Cardinal Louis-Marie Bille, archbishop of that archdiocese.

The Pope writes that the late cardinal was a "passionate servant of Christ, in Whom ... he placed his faith, and a passionate servant of the local churches entrusted to his pastoral care. In Laval, Aix-en-Provence, and later as Primate of Gaul, he gave himself entirely to the mission he received from the Lord. He knew how to break with simplicity the bread of the Word for the faithful, helping them to discover its richness. A man of exalted spirituality, attentive to promoting unity in all things and to serving the truth of the Gospel. He demonstrated tireless zeal in his role as president of the French Bishops' Conference. ... I would like to assure the faithful and clergy of the archdiocese of Lyon of my spiritual closeness in this painful moment, invoking God's grace upon them. I entrust the family and loved ones of Cardinal Bille, as well as the whole diocesan community of Lyon, to the maternal intercession of Our Lady of Fourviere."

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JOHN PAUL II APPEALS FOR PEACE IN HOLY LAND

VATICAN CITY, MAR 13, 2002 (VIS) - At the close of today's general audience, the Pope greeted a group of representatives from the three monotheistic religions of the Holy Land who recently gathered in Alexandria, Egypt, where they issued the First Alexandria Declaration of the Religious Leaders of the Holy Land. Among those present were Rabbi Michael Melchior, deputy minister of foreign affairs of Israel; His Beatitude Michel Sabbah, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem and Sheikh Talal El Sider, minister of the Palestinian National Authority.

"We are all saddened," said the Pope, "by the daily instances of violence and death in Israel and the Palestinian Territories. Our mission as men and women of religion impels us to pray for peace, to proclaim peace and to do everything in our power to help bring an end to the bloodshed.

"I reiterate the firm determination of the Catholic Church to work for a just peace. May Almighty God bless your efforts to foster reconciliation and trust between all the beloved people of the Holy Land."

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VATICAN CITY, MAR 13, 2002 (VIS) - In this Wednesday's general audience, celebrated in the Paul VI Hall, the Holy Father spoke about Psalm 76, "God r

VATICAN CITY, MAR 13, 2002 (VIS) - In this Wednesday's general audience, celebrated in the Paul VI Hall, the Holy Father spoke about Psalm 76, "God renews the wonders of His love."

John Paul II affirmed that Psalm 76 begins with the dramatic tone of someone who is afraid as he faces the difficulties of a new day and thinks that God has forgotten him. "The Psalmist asks why the Lord rejects him, why He has changed His countenance and His way of acting, forgetting love, the promise of salvation and tender mercy."

In the second part of the plea "there are reasons for hope," said the Pope, "the bitter present is illuminated by the past experience of salvation. ... Professing faith in works of salvation of the past leads to faith in that which the Lord constantly is. This, consequently, leads to faith in the present. ... In this way, the present, which seemed hopeless and without light, is illuminated by faith in God and opened up to hope."

"Recalling at the end that God guided his people 'as a flock, by the hand of Moses and Aaron,' the Psalmist implicitly conveys us to one certainty: that God will return to guide us toward salvation. His powerful and invisible hand will be with us through the visible hand of the shepherds and guides designated by Him."

At the end of the audience, the Holy Father greeted, among others, the faithful who were carrying the "Benedictine Torch" of peace, that left the United States of America this year, after having been lit by Cardinal Edward Egan, archbishop of New York. He concluded by saying, "as a symbol of peace, this torch today rests among the tombs of the apostles, and will continue its path toward Norcia, Italy. I hope that such a moving initiative provokes a generous commitment to solidarity and peace."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 13, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Palm Beach, U.S.A., presented by Bishop Anthony J. O'Connell, in accordance with Canon 401, para. 2, of the Code of Canon Law.

- Accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the archdiocese of Sao Sebastiao do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, presented by Auxiliary Bishop Narbal da Costa Stencel, upon having reached the age limit.

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