POPE GREETS INTERNATIONNAL CATHOLIC CENTER FOR UNESCO

VATICAN CITY, MAY 10, 2002 (VIS) - The Pope today welcomed 40 participants in the 30th general assembly of the International Catholic Center for UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, who are meeting in Rome on the theme "Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue: A Chance for Mankind."

He recalled, in his talk to them in French, that 2002 "marks the 50th anniversary of the nomination of the Holy See's first permanent observer to UNESCO, Msgr. Roncalli, the future Blessed Pope John XXIII. Since then the Holy See follows with attention the activities of UNESCO" in its various domains.

"I am grateful," the Pope told them, "for the service you accomplish in the formation of Catholic experts, taking care to prepare them seriously and to root them in the faith." He encouraged the group in its mission of "spreading, through your initiatives and publications, specific knowledge and know-how."

"The great domains of education and culture, of communication and science, involve a fundamental ethical dimension. To give appropriate answers, it is important to acquire a just scientific knowledge, to guide a deep reflection and to propose the illumination of Christian humanism and universal moral values."

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ALBANIA: SAFEGUARD RESPECT, DIALOGUE AND COLLABORATION

VATICAN CITY, MAY 10, 2002 (VIS) - This morning, the Holy Father received the Letters of Credence of Zef Bushati, the new ambassador from the Republic of Albania, and assured him of his constant prayers that Albania "may continue faithfully down the road of prosperity and peace, forever safeguarding mutual respect, dialogue and collaboration between all its inhabitants."

John Paul II affirmed that in order to resolve their current problems, the people of Albania can call on "their well-known characteristics of courage and strength," whose champions were the national hero, George Castriota Skanderbeg, and Mother Teresa of Calcutta, "daughter of the Albanian people, who rendered honor and glory to her nation and the Catholic Church."

"As part of the European cultural, historical and geographical framework, Albania justly aspires to build a constructive dialogue with the other peoples of the continent; it wishes to contribute actively to building the common 'European home.' ... The Albanian people want to find their role in a broader international context, opening up to whole world. However, the first condition - and at the same time consequence - of this legitimate ambition is the need for greater internal cohesion and stability, which will give Albania more credibility before the gathering of nations."

The Holy Father concluded by recalling that one proof of the good relations between Albania and the Holy See is the recent collaboration agreement signed between them "with the aim of regularizing their relations; an agreement that is now awaiting ratification by parliament as you, Mr. Ambassador, recalled."

SOCIETY MUST RECLAIM RECOGNITION OF A CHILD'S HUMAN DIGNITY

VATICAN CITY, MAY 10, 2002 (VIS) - Cardinal Alfonso Lopez Trujillo, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family and head of the Holy See delegation to the 27th Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Children, addressed the session yesterday in New York City.

"It seems," he stated, "that full recognition of the child's human dignity, of all children, (created in the) image of God, from the moment of their conception, has been lost, and this must be recovered. The true measure of a society's greatness is the extent to which the society recognizes and protects human dignity and human rights and ensures the well-being of all its members, especially children."

The cardinal remarked on "the central criterion" of the Convention on the Rights of the Child "whereby the best interests of the child must prevail." He said "the process of human development in all its aspects ... is the result of a synergy between the family and society. ... The best interests of the child makes it necessary for the child to have an adequate relationship with the family, based on marriage, the cradle and sanctuary of life. ... Therefore, the Holy See believes that the rights of children and the rights of the family should be articulated together." He said that "only when the family fails should society and the State provide children with what they need, hopefully in a family-like environment."

"My Delegation believes that legislation is needed to protect children from all forms of exploitation and abuse, as in the case of incest and pedophilia, as well as through labor, slavery, the abominable crimes of prostitution and pornography, kidnapping, their use as soldiers or guerrillas, or as victims of armed conflicts or of international or unilateral sanctions imposed on some countries. All these scourges are an affront and a scandal to humanity. These various forms of violence must not go unpunished."

In concluding, Cardinal Lopez Trujillo said that the Holy See "wishes to stress that the best interests of children are not recognized when, conditioned by the myth of overpopulation which the most recent data and demographic trends have shown to be unconvincing, population policies are imposed that go against the rights of the family and children. First of all, the fundamental right to life must be recognized."

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COMMUNIQUE ON VISIT OF FOREIGN MINISTER PERES TO VATICAN

VATICAN CITY, MAY 10, 2002 (VIS) - Following is the statement made this afternoon by Holy See Press Office Director, Joaquin Navarro-Valls, on the visit to the Vatican today by Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres:

"This morning, Friday May 10, Shimon Peres, Israeli foreign minister, was received by Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano and Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, secretary for Relations with States.

"Fortunately, the meeting took place in the context of the happy conclusion to the siege around the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem; however, this should not cause the serious problems still hindering peace to be forgotten.

"The cordial encounter provided an opportunity for an exchange of opinions on the current painful situation in the Holy Land, especially in the city of Bethlehem.

"For its part, the Holy See recalled the line promoted by the Holy Father and his collaborators for a peaceful solution to the problems, through a persevering and faithful dialogue between the parties and with the help of the international community.
"There was also a discussion concerning the plan for an international peace conference, which should lead to specific commitments for a just and lasting peace."

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CIRCLE OF ST. PETER: EXTENSION OF THE POPE'S "CHARITABLE HAND"

VATICAN CITY, MAY 10, 2002 (VIS) - This morning the Pope received the directors and members of the Circle of St. Peter, a Rome-based charity organization, for their traditional annual audience when they present him with Peter's Pence, the collection taken up every June 29, Day of the Pope's Charity.

John Paul II highlighted that the service offered by the Circle of St. Peter is "perhaps little known to the large communications media, yet it constitutes a sure and welcoming point of reference for those who, alone and abandoned, have to face difficult situations and serious health problems."

"In your many activities," he said, "may time never be lacking to listen to the Word of God, and may the Gospel be the 'vade mecum' of your love for the poor. In the face of the forms of neo-paganism, that fascinate so many people, I trust that your judicious and devoted charity, nourished by intense prayer, may be an eloquent sign of God's tenderness for each human being."

The Holy Father concluded by affirming that "in your important charitable work, you aim to bear witness to the Pope's solicitude for those in need. The Circle of St. Peter is, in a certain sense, an extension of his "charitable hand' towards the most poor and abandoned."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAY 10, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:
- Archbishop Francois Bacque, apostolic nuncio in the Netherlands.
- Archbishop Francisco Gil Hellin of Burgos, Spain.
- Archbishop John Bukovsky, apostolic nuncio.

This evening, he is scheduled to receive Archbishop Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B., secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

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