OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, NOV 24, 2004 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed:

- Msgr. Gianpaolo Montini, substitute defender of the bond in the Supreme Court of the Apostolic Signatura, as promoter of justice in the Supreme Court of the Apostolic Signatura.

- Fr. Nikolaus Schoch, O.F.M., as substitute defender of the bond in the Supreme Court of the Apostolic Signatura.

- Msgr. Abdou Yaacoub, adjunct promoter of justice in the Supreme Court of the Apostolic Signatura, as prelate auditor of the Tribunal of the Roman Rota.
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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, NOV 24, 2004 (VIS) - The Holy Father received today in audience Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, archbishop of Paris.
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MORE AID NEEDED TO ACHIEVE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS

VATICAN CITY, NOV 24, 2004 (VIS) - Archbishop Celestino Migliore, Holy See permanent observer to the United Nations, spoke yesterday before the General Assembly on Item 55a, Follow-up to the Outcome of the Millennium Summit. This summit took place in September 2000 and "171 governments from the North and South (hemispheres) signed the Millennium Declaration in the U.N. General Assembly."

  "It is encouraging," he began his talk, "to hear from previous delegations of their commitment to development that has a human face. Indeed, forging links between human rights and development, and recognizing basic freedoms and equality before the law, eliminate many violent conflicts that threaten hopes for the realization of economic and social rights."

  The archbishop noted that there has been progress in accomplishing the Millennium Development Goals, and some countries "have been able to set up a significant process of economic growth, allowing them to pay by themselves the economic cost of the MDGs." Yet, "scarce economic aid and international economic conditions have not allowed the poorest countries to achieve the most important targets in education, health and access to water and sanitation."

  Archbishop Migliore said that total official aid fell far short of "the long-agreed aid goal of 0.7% of national income. ... The ability of the poorest countries, mostly found in Africa, to obtain export and fiscal revenues is dwarfed by rich countries' export subsidies and by tariffs levied on African exports, sometimes ten times higher than those levied on goods traded within OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries."

  The nuncio underscored that "enlightened leadership is expected from the United Nations" which must "help ensure that important new ideas see the light of day, rather than being sidelined" and that "steps will be taken to make national and international governance more consistent."
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AUDIENCE: CHRIST RESTORES PEACE THROUGH REDEMPTION

VATICAN CITY, NOV 24, 2004 (VIS) - The hymn of the Letter to the Colossians  was the theme of the catechesis of the Holy Father during the general audience celebrated today in the Paul VI Hall.

  John Paul II said that in this Christological hymn we extol "the glorious figure of Christ, heart of the liturgy and center of the entire life of the Church." In the hymn, "we recognize the spirit of faith and prayer of the ancient Christian community."

  Christ, he continued, "is celebrated as 'first-born of all of creation,' that is, created before man, affirming in this way His eternity which transcends time and space." If Christ is "superior to all of creation, so is His creator. Therefore, He can been seen as  'the image of the invisible God,' who is close to us through the creative act."

  The Pope indicated that "Christ, in his divine 'plentitude,' but also through shedding His blood on the Cross, 'reconciles and restores peace' with creation, the heavens and the earth. He brings them back to their original condition, recreating the original harmony, willed by God according to His project of love and life. Creation and redemption are, therefore, connected like stages in the unique event of salvation."

  Before going to the audience in the Paul VI Hall, the Holy Father greeted 3,500 Italian youths and students in St. Peter's Basilica.  After reminding them that this past Sunday we celebrated the Solemnity of Christ the King, he told them: "May Jesus always be the center of your life! May He be the light and guide of every decision that you take; participate generously with your witness in building up His Kingdom of justice and peace."
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