THE POPE MEETS WITH PRESIDENT OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL

VATICAN CITY, DEC 12, 2002 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls made the following declaration in the late morning:

"Today, Thursday December 12, the Holy Father John Paul II received Moshe Katsav, president of the State of Israel.

"Later the same head of state met with Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of State. Ambassador Yosef N. Lamdan, representing Israel, was present during the meeting. Msgr. Pietro Parolin, undersecretary for Relations with States, was present on behalf of the Secretariat of State.

"In the above-mentioned meetings, current relations between Israel and the Holy See were examined in light of the "Fundamental Agreement" of 1993. Particular attention was paid to the opportunity to intensify collaboration in the cultural sphere.

"In regards to the dramatic situation in the Holy Land, there was an in-depth discussion in which both parties expressed their point of view. The Holy See's position favoring the existence and collaboration between two States, Israel and Palestine with the need to reach a swift conclusion of the current conflict, was expressed again to the illustrious guest. In particular, an appeal was made for free access to Bethlehem during the upcoming Christmas celebrations."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, DEC 12, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Moshe Katsav, president of the State of Israel, and an entourage.

- Delegation from the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Catherine, virgin and martyr, on the occasion of the 450th anniversary of their foundress' birth.

- Sellapan Ramanathan Nathan, president of the Republic of Singapore, and an entourage.

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PRESENTATION OF POPE'S MESSAGE FOR WORLD DAY OF PEACE

VATICAN CITY, DEC 12, 2002 (VIS) - On Tuesday December 17 at 11:30 a.m. in the Holy See Press Office, there will be a presentation of the Pope's Message for the celebration of the 36th World Day of Peace on January 1, 2003. Its theme is: "Pacem in terris: A Permanent Commitment."

The following prelates will speak during the press conference: Archbishop Renato Raffaele Martino, Bishop Giampaolo Crepaldi and Msgr. Frank J. Dewane, respectively president, secretary and undersecretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.

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DECLARATION ON AUDIENCE WITH PRESIDENT OF SINGAPORE

VATICAN CITY, DEC 12, 2002 (VIS) - Joaquin Navarro-Valls, director of the Holy See Press Office, made the following declaration today at midday:

"Today, Thursday December 12, the Holy Father received in audience S.R. Nathan, president of Singapore.

"After the pontifical audience, the same head of State met with Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, secretary for Relations with States.

"These conversations allowed for an exchange of opinions on the happy state of relations between the Church and the State and on initiatives of cooperation on cultural issues.

"The necessity for a faithful inter-religious dialogue, which would contribute to the peace and stability of the region and the world, was discussed."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, DEC 12, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Appointed Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina and Archbishop Eusebio Oscar Schei of Sao Sebastiao do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil as counselors of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

- Appointed Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana of Santiago de Compostela, Spain, advisor for the General Affairs of the Secretariat of State, to the office of Apostolic Nuncio.

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