JOHN PAUL II WELCOMES NEW AMBASSADOR FROM BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA

VATICAN CITY, NOV 30, 2002 (VIS) - John Paul II today received the Letters of Credence of Ivan Misic, the new ambassador from Bosnia-Herzegovina to the Holy See and, in welcoming remarks to the diplomat in his native language, the Pope recalled his pastoral visit to Sarajevo in 1997, shortly after the end of the war that racked that region.

The Pope confirmed his "closeness to the beloved peoples of Bosnia-Herzegovina who have not only undergone a political system based on an ideology in contrast with the values inscribed in the human spirit, but also a long and painful war." He noted that the Washington Accord and the Dayton Accords "caused arms to be silent. However there is need to work together intensely to build a peace in justice and to make it work, resolving problems linked to the country's future" such as "the question of refugees and the exiled."

He stated that, in building the country, concrete programs are necessary "that start with the person and respect his dignity, that offer possibilities for work, ... that promote dialogue and collaboration" throughout society.

The Holy Father declared that "democracy is a demanding duty, that calls for morality, honesty, human sensitivity, wisdom, patience, respect for others, willingness to compromise every time the common good calls for it, and a firm will to put forth but not impose one's points of view and ideas. Such a duty is even more demanding in multiethnic, multicultural and multireligious countries such as Bosnia-Herzegovina."

The Pope called for "true reconciliation and sincere pardon," saying that "one cannot erase the memory of what has happened in the past but one can and must free the heart from rancor and vendetta." He said that remembering warns us not to repeat errors." He added that "the Church in Bosnia-Herzegovina is already at work and offering its contribution to reconciliation and pardon. ... (She) also is trying to promote the formation of the new generations through schools open to whoever wishes" to attend.

He noted that a just society is one that will "repudiate every temptation to favor one individual to the detriment of others, ... (and) is ready to assure everyone of effective equality and is attentive to respecting rights, freedoms and the identity of each one."

Pope John Paul then turned to the "drama of the many refugees and exiled persons who wish to return home, ... who are denied the right to live serenely in their native land. ... Such persons justly ask for guarantees for their safety, as well as the creation of acceptable political, social and economic conditions. They also ask for the restitution of the goods of which they were deprived by violent means during the war."

He stressed that no problem must be solved with violence, or with harm to defenseless people, adding that there must be "the will to repair and correct the injustices committed through opportune political and economic interventions at both the local and institutional levels." He said he hoped the international community would offer the necessary assistance and aid.

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POPE ACCEPTS RESIGNATION FROM DEAN OF COLLEGE OF CARDINALS

VATICAN CITY, NOV 30, 2002 (VIS) - Made public today was the Pope's Letter to Cardinal Bernardin Gantin in which he accepts the cardinal's request to resign his position as dean of the College of Cardinals and the title of the suburbicarian Church of Ostia. The new dean will be Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

"The sentiments of devotion that you, with great trust, have expressed once again," writes the Holy Father, "have had a profound echo in my soul, ... knowing that they are a confirmation, according to the motto of your episcopal coat of arms 'In tuo sancto servitio', of a life dedicated to the service of the Lord in deep communion in thought and affection with the Successor of Peter."

John Paul II observes that the cardinal had expressed the desire to leave his role as dean on his eightieth birthday and to return to his homeland, Benin, "in order to still make a useful contribution to the life of the Church" in the country and "to give a penetrating testimony in favor of the Gospel."

"Keeping all of this in mind," he concludes, "I have decided to grant the double petition that he has presented to me, wishing with this gesture to show him the acute recognition that I carry in my heart for all the help that he has offered to me generously in these years."

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FATHER CARLO GNOCCHI: AN UNFORGETTABLE TEACHER OF LIFE

VATICAN CITY, NOV 30, 2002 (VIS) - This morning in the Paul VI Hall the Holy Father received participants in the pilgrimage of the "Father Carlo Gnocchi" Foundation which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Fr. Gnocchi.

John Paul II recalled that Fr. Carlo Gnocchi was "an educator of young people from the very beginning of his priestly ministry." During World War II he worked as a volunteer chaplain and "he acted with heroic charity toward the wounded and the dying, developing the design of a great work dedicated to the poor, to orphans and to the unfortunate. Thus, the 'Pro Juventute' Foundation was born, through which many social and apostolic initiatives came about to help so many war orphans and little ones mutilated by explosive devices."

"'To restore the human person' is the principle that continues to inspire you," he said, "in fidelity to the spirit of Fr. Carlo Gnocchi," whose process of beatification was opened in 1987. "He was convinced that it was not enough to attend to the sick; one must 'restore them', promoting them through appropriate therapy which makes them gain confidence in themselves again. If this calls for a technical and profession update, it calls for, above anything else, constant human and spiritual help."

The Pope urged the workers, volunteers, former students and friends of the spiritual family of Fr. Carlo Gnocchi and the members of the National Association of Mountain Troops ("alpini") and the National Association of Organ Donors, as well as representative of the male and female religious institutions loved by him, to "follow in the footsteps of this unforgettable teacher of life." With regard to organ donations, the Pope recalled that Fr. Gnocchi's "generosity continued after his death on February 28, 1956, with the donation of his corneas to two blind boys."

"Today," the Pope concluded, "his message represents a singular prophecy of solidarity and peace. Serving the neediest and the insignificant in a disinterested way contributes to building a more welcoming and unified world."

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POPE SAYS MASS FOR FILIPINO CATHOLIC COMMUNITY IN ROME

VATICAN CITY, DEC 1, 2002 (VIS) - Today, the first Sunday in Advent, the Holy Father celebrated Mass in the Paul VI Hall at 10 a.m. for the Filipino Catholic community residing in Rome, thus resuming his usual custom of meeting with parishes and communities in the diocese.

In the homily, delivered in English, John Paul II said that the existence of 39 pastoral centers in Rome demonstrates the "Church's concern for the Filipino faithful."

"Hold fast to the rich cultural and religious heritage that is an integral part of your identity. Many of you have had the chance to find employment here in Italy and have attained a standard of living that enables you to help you family members at home. For others, however - and I hope that they are few - your status as immigrants has brought you serious problems, including loneliness, the separation of families, the loss of the values handed down from the past and at times even the loss of your faith."

"I would like to renew to all of you, and in particular to the many women present here, the words of encouragement which we heard in today's liturgy: Do not lose heart! We must not grow weak in faith, for the Lord is near. The fact that you are immigrants makes you all the more dear to Jesus Who, as we recall during Advent, came on earth to save us."

The Pope urged the Filipino community to "continue, then, with trust and determination, along the path of faith and solidarity. ... The witness of an authentically Christian life will keep you united among yourselves and will continue to win you the respect and help of others. I ask those who employ you to welcome and love you as cherished brothers and sisters in Christ. All of us must work together to build the civilization of love."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, NOV 30, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Accepted the request to be dispensed from the office of the Dean of the College of Cardinals and from the title of suburbicarian Church of Ostia presented by Cardinal Bernardin Gantin. The cardinal will retain the title of the suburbicarian Church of Palestrina.

- Approved the election by the cardinals of the Order of Bishops of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, of the title of the suburbicarian Church of Velletri-Segni, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, as dean of the College of Cardinals, and of Cardinal Angelo Sodano, of the title of the suburbicarian Church of Albano, secretary of State, as vice-dean of the same college.

- Appointed Fr. Joseph Oudeman, O.F.M. Cap., assistant pastor of Wynnum and chaplain of the Dutch community of the archdiocese of Brisbane, Australia as auxiliary of the same archdiocese (population 65,000, population 2,255,100, Catholics 550,630, priests 258, permanent deacons 1, religious 1037). The bishop-elect was born in Brede, Holland in 1942 and was ordained a priest 1966.

- Appointed Cardinals Camillo Ruini, vicar general for the diocese of Rome, and Jan Pieter Schotte, C.I.C.M., secretary general of the Synod of Bishops and president of the Labor Office of the Apostolic See, as members of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See.

- Appointed Msgr. Pietro Parolin, nunciature councillor of the Section for Relations with States of the Secretariat of State, as undersecretary of the same section.

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PAPAL LETTER TO ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW I

VATICAN CITY, NOV 30, 2002 (VIS) - As is customary for the November 30 feast of St. Andrew, patron of the ecumenical patriarchate of Constantinople, a delegation from the Holy See, led by Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, is in Istanbul for the occasion which is celebrated on the same date in both the East and West. A delegation from the patriarchate comes to Rome each year for the June 29 feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles.

At the end of today's liturgy in St. George Church in Fanar, Cardinal Kasper presented Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I with a special Message from Pope John Paul II. The delegation, during their stay, will have talks with the patriarchate's synodal commission for relations with the Catholic Church and will meet with representatives of other Churches in Istanbul, including an encounter with the new chief rabbi. Tomorrow, first Sunday of Advent, Cardinal Kasper will preside at the Eucharistic liturgy for the Catholic community of Istanbul.

The Holy Father, in his Message in French to Patriarch Bartholomew I, wrote: "The brotherhood of the two apostles, Peter and Andrew, as well as the same and unique vocation to which they were called while they undertook their daily work, invites us to seek together, day after day, full communion so as to realize our common mission of reconciliation in God and the promotion of an authentic peaceful and Christian spirit, in a world that is overwhelmed by dramas that tear it apart and by armed conflicts."

"The fidelity to Christ of these holy brothers," he added, "calls our communities, born of the preaching of the Apostles and situated in the uninterrupted apostolic succession, to commit themselves to surmount the difficulties that still hinder Eucharistic concelebration."
"Our contacts, conversations and collaborative experiences are all oriented towards one goal: unity, the essential condition indicated by Christ that must mark relations between His disciples. For its part, the Catholic Church is engaged with conviction in this process."

John Paul II suggested that it would be good "to find more frequent forms of communication and regular exchanges. ... How can we not evoke, in this context, the concern that I take very much to heart, and which Your Holiness shares with me, for finding a way to restart the theological dialogue for a new phase, after the uncertainties, difficulties and wavering of the last decade?"

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DEFEAT RACISM, XENOPHOBIA AND EXAGGERATED NATIONALISM

VATICAN CITY, DEC 2, 2002 (VIS) - This morning in the Holy See Press Office, there was a press conference on the Pope's Message for the 89th World Day of the Migrants and Refugees 2003, centered on the theme: "For a Commitment to Defeat all Racism, Xenophobia and Exaggerated Nationalism."

The following participated in the conference: Archbishops Stephen Fumio Hamao and Agostino Marchetto, and Fr. Michael A. Blume, S.V.D., respectively president, secretary and under-secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People.

Archbishop Hamao recalled that "more than 190 million people currently live far from the state where they were born. It is estimated that there are approximately 175 million international migrants who have left their native country for economic reasons. Almost 16 million refugees must be added" to that figure, and there are also 50 million refugees living in their own countries.

With respect to the past, there have been important changes with regard to migrations: "The migratory movements are characterized ever more by the presence of women; many migrants tend to maintain more contact with their country of origin due to ease of travel and the means of communication." In addition, there are climatic changes which influence migrations: "Some people think that in 25 years millions of people will be forced to migrate because of desertification or the increase in sea levels." Furthermore, there is no lack of "new political problems": after September 11, 2001 "governments and political parties are passing even stricter laws to maintain order and security; more severe controls are exercised that make the same norms for asylum more restrictive." Finally, he added, "in many regions people migrate due to the ageing of the population."

Archbishop Marchetto emphasized that "racism, xenophobia, intolerance and exacerbated nationalism continue to be present in our world." It is difficult to find "privileged countries in which there aren't brutal attacks on immigrants or refugees, expulsions based on belonging to a certain ethnic group, propaganda against foreigners or even the murder of immigrants."

"Intolerance," he continued, "also manifests itself in non-violent but painful and detestable ways such as the social exclusion of foreigners or those who are not nationals, discrimination against those in the work force, in affairs concerning housing and/or health care, and in interaction with civil society."
The secretary of the dicastery indicated that in his Message, "the Holy Father once again proposes the strong and clear affirmation that racism is a sin, a concept deliberately invented to create division in humanity. ... Since all forms of intolerance reside and originate in people's hearts, in order to eradicate them it is necessary therefore to purify and renew the heart."

Fr. Michael Blume, S.V.D., under-secretary of the pontifical council, underscored that "the term 'welcome' - in the sense of a 'spirituality' of welcome - is certainly the key to reading the Holy Father's Message for the 2003 World Day of the Migrant and Refugee."

He said that "migrations are not a marginal phenomenon that calls for an emergency response only, rather they are a structural phenomenon that involves many nations and deeply affects the social, cultural and religious life of the States the migrants leave as well as those they migrate to." He noted the work the Church has done, through individuals, congregations and institutions, especially since the 19th century, to help migrants.

Fr. Blume remarked that, notwithstanding the problems that arise for migrants, "the authentically Christian spirit of welcome will give style and courage in facing these problems." We must do what the Gospel exhorts us, he said: "'Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God'." He added: "Even though there are many problems that migrants must face in the societies where they arrive, we must not forget the difficulties that occur ... in these societies, also among Christian believers. ... Often they are deeply disturbed because of the new multicultural situations created by migrations. ... Some of them are victims of misinformation and some feel nostalgia for the past. Others feel threatened by a loss of work or other feelings of insecurity."

He closed by remarking that people and institutions must undergo "a transformation" and must once again be "rooted in Christ" as it is this which "allows single cultures to be freed from the tendency of thinking only of themselves and of discerning in the people of other cultures the hand of God."

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IF WE LOSE THE SENSE OF GOD, WE LOSE THE SENSE OF LIFE

VATICAN CITY, DEC 1, 2002 (VIS) - Following his encounter this morning with the Filipino community residing in Rome, Pope John Paul appeared at noon at the window of his study overlooking St. Peter's Square to recite the Angelus prayer with the faithful who had come to the square on this first Sunday of Advent.

Noting that today "we start a new liturgical year," the Pope said that "the God of the Covenant revealed Himself in history, and in history the Church celebrates His mystery of salvation: the Incarnation, the Passion and the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ."

He added that "God is the future of the world. If it loses the sense of God, humanity closes itself to the future and inevitably loses the prospect of its pilgrimage in time. Why be born, why die? Why sacrifice ourselves, why suffer? Christianity offers a gratifying answer to these question. For this, Christ is the hope of mankind. It is He Who is the true sense of our present, because He is our certain future."

"Advent," affirmed the Holy Father, "reminds us that He came, but that He will come again. And the life of believers is a continual and hopeful vigil of His coming. The invitation to be vigilant and to wait is today underlined with insistence by St. Mark who, throughout the new liturgical year, will guide us in the discovery of the mystery of Christ."

The Pope and pilgrims then recited the Angelus together, after which John Paul II greeted those present in English, Spanish and Italian.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, DEC 2, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Alfred Moisiu, president of the Republic of Albania, and an entourage.

- Cardinal Geraldo Majella Agnelo, archbishop of Sao Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, accompanied by auxiliary Bishops Walmor Oliveira de Azevedo and Gilio Felicio on their "ad limina" visit.

- Robert George Halverson, ambassador of Australia on his farewell visit.

On Saturday, November 30 the Holy Father received in audience Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos, prefect of the Congregation for Clergy.

On Friday, November 29 he received Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

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PAPAL MESSAGE FOR WORLD DAY OF MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES

VATICAN CITY, DEC 2, 2002 (VIS) - Made public today was Pope John Paul's Message for the 89th World Day of the Migrants and Refugees, which will be celebrated in 2003 in local dioceses on dates to be determined by episcopal conferences. The original language of the Message, entitled "For a Commitment to Overcome all Racism, Xenophobia and Exaggerated Nationalism," is English. It was also published in Italian, French, German, Spanish and Portuguese. Below are excerpts:

"Migration has become a widespread phenomenon in the modern-day world and involves all nations, either as countries of departure, of transit or of arrival. It affects millions of human beings, and presents a challenge that the pilgrim Church, at the service of the whole human family, cannot fail to take up and meet in the Gospel spirit of universal charity. This year's World Day of Migrants and Refugees should be a time of special prayer for the needs of all who, for whatever reason, are far from home and family; it should be a day of serious reflection on the duties of Catholics towards these brothers and sisters.

"Among those particularly affected are the most vulnerable of foreigners: undocumented migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, those displaced by continuing violent conflicts in many parts of the world, and the victims ' mostly women and children ' of the terrible crime of human trafficking. Even in the recent past we have witnessed tragic instances of forced movements of peoples for ethnic and nationalistic pretensions, which have added untold misery to the lives of targeted groups. At the root of these situations there are sinful intentions and actions that go contrary to the Gospel and constitute a call to Christians everywhere to overcome evil with good.

"Membership in the Catholic community is not determined by nationality, or by social or ethnic origin, but essentially by faith in Jesus Christ and Baptism in the name of the Holy Trinity. The 'cosmopolitan' make-up of the People of God is visible today in practically every particular Church because migration has transformed even small and formerly isolated communities into pluralist and inter-cultural realities."

"The Church understands that restricting membership of a local community on the basis of ethnic or other external characteristics would be an impoverishment for all concerned. ... Moreover, if newcomers feel unwelcome as they approach a particular parish community because they do not speak the local language or follow local customs, they easily become 'lost sheep'. The loss of such 'little ones' for reasons of even latent discrimination should be a cause of grave concern to pastors and faithful alike.

"This takes us back to a subject which I have often mentioned in my Messages for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, namely, the Christian duty to welcome whoever comes knocking out of need. Such openness builds up vibrant Christian communities, enriched by the Spirit with the gifts brought to them by new disciples from other cultures. This basic expression of evangelical love is likewise the inspiration of countless programmes of solidarity towards migrants and refugees in all parts of the world."

"Often, solidarity does not come easily. It requires training and a turning away from attitudes of closure, which in many societies today have become more subtle and penetrating. To deal with this phenomenon, the Church possesses vast educational and formative resources at all levels. I therefore appeal to parents and teachers to combat racism and xenophobia by inculcating positive attitudes based on Catholic social doctrine.

"Being ever more deeply rooted in Christ, Christians must struggle to overcome any tendency to turn in on themselves, and learn to discern in people of other cultures the handiwork of God."

"Understandably, as I urge Catholics to excel in the spirit of solidarity towards newcomers among them, I also invite the immigrants to recognize the duty to honour the countries which receive them and to respect the laws, culture and traditions of the people who have welcomed them. Only in this way will social harmony prevail.

"The path to true acceptance of immigrants in their cultural diversity is actually a difficult one, in some cases a real Way of the Cross. ... At times that path needs a prophetic word that points out what is wrong and encourages what is right. When tensions arise, the credibility of the Church in her doctrine on the fundamental respect due to each person rests on the moral courage of pastors and faithful to 'stake everything on love'.

"It hardly needs to be said that mixed cultural communities offer unique opportunities to deepen the gift of unity with other Christian Churches and ecclesial communities. Many of them in fact have worked within their own communities and with the Catholic Church to form societies in which the cultures of migrants and their special gifts are sincerely appreciated, and in which manifestations of racism, xenophobia and exaggerated nationalism are prophetically opposed."

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