PONTIFICAL PORTUGUESE COLLEGE CELEBRATES ITS CENTENARY

VATICAN CITY, JAN 11, 2003 (VIS) - This morning in the Clementine Hall John Paul II received the community of the Pontifical Portuguese College on the occasion of the centenary of its founding.

The Pope thanked those in charge of the college "for the services and formation, diligence and competence that you demonstrate; and to the students for their seriousness and enthusiasm in corresponding to the expectations of their respective dioceses."

The Holy Father emphasized the "great utility that the college has and will continue to have in order to properly welcome priests who have the opportunity to continue their pastoral and theological formation as they take advantage of the resources that the Eternal City offers them."

"In the way of praise," he continued, "I cannot fail to mention that in the course of the first hundred years 867 students have studied at the college, the great majority of the priests becoming distinguished and dedicated pastors - among them 3 cardinals and 64 bishops - who received formation of the highest quality in this institution."

After expressing the desire that everyone know "how to make their own contribution in order to deepen and consolidate unity in the Church, of which Rome is the center and sign," John Paul II urged the priests "to continue, without getting weary, in the Christian and priestly, apostolic and cultural formation that the Church expects of you."

"As in the past," concluded the Holy Father, "this institution must continue to be a breeding ground for apostles, a point of union among Catholic Rome and your countries, a lively testimony to the commitment and faithfulness of priests to the Seat of Peter."

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