OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 30, 2005 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

 - Accepted the resignation from the office of auxiliary of the archdiocese of Westminster, Great Britain, presented by Bishop James O'Brien, upon having reached the age limit.

 - Appointed Msgr. Bernardo Alvarez Afonso, vicar general of San Cristobal de La Laguna, Tenerife (area 3,328, population 915,262, Catholics 823,736, priests 260, permanent deacons 3, religious 554), Spain, as bishop of the same diocese. The bishop-elect was born in Brena Alta, Spain, in 1949 and ordained a priest in 1976. He succeeds Felipe Fernandez Garcia, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese was accepted by the Holy Father, in accordance with Canon 401, para. 2, of the Code of Canon law.

 - Appointed Fr. Krzysztof Bialasik S.V.D., secretary for pastoral care of the Bolivian Episcopal Conference, as bishop of Oruro (area 53,588, population 403,521, Catholics 342,993, priests 36, permanent deacons 5, religious 133), Bolivia. The bishop-elect was born in Zbaszyn, Poland, in 1958 and ordained to the priesthood in 1985.

 - Appointed Fr. Ricardo Ernesto Centellas Guzman, vicar general of the archdiocese of Sucre, Bolivia, as auxiliary of Potosi (area 118,218, population 723,494, Catholics 651,144, priests 63, permanent deacons 5, religious 105), Bolivia. The bishop-elect was born in Suquistaca, Bolivia, in 1962 and ordained a priest in 1988.
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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JUN 30, 2005 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

 - Vaira Vike-Freiberga, president of the Republic of Latvia, accompanied by her husband and an entourage.

 - Cardinal Christoph Schonborn O.P., archbishop of Vienna, Austria.

  This evening he is scheduled to receive in audience Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
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BE UNITED IN FEELINGS OF HARMONY AND LOVE FOR CHURCH

VATICAN CITY, JUN 30, 2005 (VIS) - At noon today, the Pope received Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals, and the 32 metropolitan archbishops who yesterday received the pallium, accompanied by members of their family.

  The Holy Father greeted each of the new metropolitan archbishops individually, and assured them: "I remain united to you with affection and prayer; at the same time I ask you to continue to walk together, united by the same feelings of harmony and of love for Christ and His Church."

  Turning to Cardinal Sodano, Benedict XVI thanked him for "the collaboration given over many years to Peter's Successor, I extend my thoughts to all the members of the College of Cardinals, with gratitude for the support and prayer with which they accompany my service as pastor of the universal Church."

  Speaking to Archbishop Stanislaw Dziwisz, the new metropolitan archbishop of Krakow, Poland, the Pope thanked him "for all you have done for John Paul II, and for me personally."
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POPE REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO SEARCH FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY

VATICAN CITY, JUN 30, 2005 (VIS) - The Holy Father this morning welcomed the delegation sent to Rome for the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul by His Holiness Bartholomew I, ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople. An ecumenical delegation traditionally visits Rome for the June 29 feast, whereas a delegation from Rome attends celebrations in Istanbul for the November 30th feast of St. Andrew, patron of the ecumenical patriarchate.

  The Pope underscored the "dialogue of charity" between Catholics and Orthodox "begun on the Mount of Olives by Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras, an experience which was not in vain. Many significant gestures have been made since then: I am thinking of the abrogation of the reciprocal condemnations of 1054, of the speeches, documents and encounters promoted by the Sees of Rome and Constantinople. These have marked the path of recent decades."

  He also referred to Pope John Paul's encounter and "fraternal embrace" in St. Peter's Basilica, months before his death, with the ecumenical patriarch. He noted that "our path is long, and not easy" but it has "seen hope grow for a solid 'dialogue of truth' and a process of theological and historical clarification, which has given appreciable fruits."

  "There is need," said Benedict XVI, "to join forces, to spare no energy so that the official theological dialogue, which began in 1980 between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Churches all together, will resume with vigor." He expressed his "recognition to Patriarch Bartholomew who is working very hard to reactivate the work of the Mixed International Catholic-Orthodox Commission. I assure him that it is my firm will to support and encourage this action. Theological research, which must face complex questions and seek solutions that are not reductive, is a serious commitment that we cannot avoid.

  "If it is true that the Lord calls with force His disciples to build unity in charity and truth; if it is true that the ecumenical appeal is a pressing invitation to rebuild, in reconciliation and peace, the unity, seriously damaged, of all Christians; if we cannot ignore that division makes the holy cause of proclaiming the Gospel to every person less efficient, how can we avoid the duty of examining with clarity and good will our differences? ... The unity we seek is neither absorption nor fusion but respect for the multiform fullness of the Church which, conformed to the will of her founder Jesus Christ, must always be one, holy, catholic and apostolic."

  The Holy Father asked the delegation to inform Patriarch Bartholomew of his "intention to pursue with firm determination the search for full unity among all Christians."
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METROPOLITAN ARCHBISHOPS WHO RECEIVED THE PALLIUM

VATICAN CITY, JUN 29, 2005 (VIS) - Given below is a list of the 32 metropolitan archbishops who received the pallium in the course of a Eucharistic celebration held in the Vatican Basilica today, June 29, Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles:

 - Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals, for the title of the suburbicarian Church of Ostia

 - Archbishop Jaume Pujol Balcells of Tarragona, Spain, Personal Prelature of Opus Dei.

 - Archbishop Bernard Blasius Moras of Bangalore, India.

 - Archbishop Bruno Forte of Chieti-Vasto, Italy,

 - Archbishop Jose Octavio Ruiz Arenas of Villavicencio, Colombia.

 - Archbishop Santiago Garcia Aracil of Merida Badajoz, Spain.

 - Archbishop Pedro Ricardo Barreto Jimeno S.J., of  Huancayo, Peru.

 -  Archbishop Paolo Mario Virgilio Atzei O.F.M. Conv. of Sassari, Italy.

 - Archbishop Liborius Ndumbukuti Nashenda O.M.I., of Windhoek, Namibia.

 - Archbishop Anuar Battisti of Maringa, Brazil.

 - Archbishop Ruggero Franceschini O.F.M. Cap., of Izmir, Turkey

 - Archbishop Orani Joao Tempesta O. Cist., of Belem do Para, Brazil.

 - Archbishop Pablo Lizama Riquelme of Antofagasta, Chile.

 - Archbishop Wilton Daniel Gregory of Atlanta, U.S.A.

 - Archbishop Salvatore Nunnari of Cosenza-Bisignano, Italy.

 - Archbishop Jose Horacio Gomez of San Antonio, U.S.A., Personal Prelature of Opus Dei.

 - Archbishop Joseph Anthony Fiorenza of Galveston-Houston, U.S.A.

 - Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City In Kansas, U.S.A.

 - Archbishop Rrok K. Mirdita of Durres-Tirane, Albania.

 - Archbishop Andre Vingt-Trois of Paris, France.

 - Archbishop Ernesto Antolin Salgado of Nueva Segovia, Philippines.

 - Archbishop Joseph Ngo Quang Kiet of Ha Noi, Vietnam.

 - Archbishop Marcel Honorat Leon Agboton of Cotonou, Benin.

 - Archbishop John Atcherly Dew of Wellington, New Zealand.

 - Archbishop Gabriel Charles Palmer-Buckle of Accra, Ghana.

 - Archbishop Daniel J. Bohan of Regina, Canada.

 - Archbishop Malayappan Chinnappa S.D.B., of Madras and Mylapore, India.

 - Archbishop Boniface Lele of Mombasa, Kenya.

 - Archbishop Leopoldo Jose Brenes Solorzano of Managua, Nicaragua.

 - Archbishop Manuel Urena Pastor of Zaragoza, Spain.

 - Archbishop Eduardo Benes De Sales Rodrigues of Sorocaba, Brazil.

 - Archbishop Stanislaw Dziwisz of Krakow, Poland.

 - Archbishop Bernard Nicolas Aubertin O. Cist., of Tours, France.

  Archbishop Alojzij Uran of Ljubljana, Slovenia, will receive the pallium in his metropolitan see.
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MAY PETRINE MINISTRY BE A SUPPORT ON PATH TO UNITY

VATICAN CITY, JUN 29, 2005 (VIS) - Pope Benedict, in reflections made before reciting the Angelus today with the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square, many of whom had just attended the Mass where he bestowed palliums on 32 metropolitan archbishops, spoke of today's feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles, and of the Petrine ministry of the bishop of Rome.

  Telling Romans that he feels close to them on this feast of their patron saints, he said: "Divine Providence called me to be your pastor. I thank you for the affection with which you have welcomed me and I ask you to pray that Sts. Peter and Paul obtain for me the grace to faithfully fulfill the pastoral ministry entrusted to me. As bishop of Rome, the Pope performs a unique and indispensable service to the Universal Church: he is the perpetual and visible beginning and foundation of the unity of bishops and of all the faithful."

  Referring to the just-concluded Mass and imposition of the pallium, "the liturgical sign of the communion that links the See of Peter and his Successor to metropolitans and, through them, with all bishops in the world," the Holy Father noted the presence at today's ceremony of the delegation of the ecumenical patriarchate of Constantinople whom he cordially welcomed. "How can we not recall today," he said, "that the primacy of the Church that is in Rome and of her bishops is a primacy of service to Catholic communion. Starting with the double martyrdom of Peter and Paul, all Churches began to look to the one in Rome as a central reference point for doctrinal and pastoral unity."

  "May the Virgin Mary, concluded Benedict XVI, "obtain for us that the Petrine ministry of the Bishop of Rome is not seen as a stumbling block but as a support in the walk on the path of unity."

  Following the Angelus prayer and greetings to the faithful in various languages, Pope Benedict went to the Domus Sanctae Marthae in the Vatican for lunch with the delegation from the ecumenical patriarchate. They were joined by several other members of the Roman Curia.
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LET US PRAY THE LORD TO GUIDE US TO FULL UNITY

VATICAN CITY, JUN 29, 2005 (VIS) - In the Vatican Basilica today, solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles, the Pope presided at a Eucharistic celebration during which he conferred the pallium on Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals, and on 32 metropolitan archbishops from 21 countries.

  As is traditional, the Mass was attended by a delegation from the ecumenical patriarchate of Constantinople, led this year by Ioannis (Zizioulas), metropolitan of Pergamo, and including Gennadios (Limouris), metropolitan of Sassima, and the archimandrite Bartolome, under-secretary of the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

  In his homily, the Pope pointed out that today's feast "is both a grateful remembrance of the great witnesses to Jesus Christ, and a solemn confession in support of the Church, one, holy, catholic and apostolic. It is, above all, a feast of catholicity."

  "Catholicity," he explained, "means universality: multiplicity that becomes unity, unity that still remains multiplicity." On this subject, the Holy Father also expressed his joy at being able "to give the Church a new guide for the transmission of faith, one that helps us to a better understanding, and hence a better experience, of the faith that unites us: the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church."

  Benedict XVI insisted that the compendium must not be read like "a novel. It must be meditated upon calmly in each of its individual parts to allow its contents, through the use of images, to penetrate the soul. I hope that this is how it will be welcomed and that it may become a reliable guide for the transmission of the faith."

  Addressing the new metropolitan archbishops, the Pope recalled that the pallium they were about to receive is "an expression of our apostolic mission. It is an expression of our communion which has its visible guarantee in the Petrine ministry. The Petrine service is associated with both unity and apostolicity. It visibly reunites the Church of all places and times, thus defending us all from sliding into that false autonomy which can all too easily lead to interior splits in the Church, and thus compromise her internal independence."

  The Pope then went on to greet members of the delegation of the Orthodox Church of Constantinople. "Although we still do not agree on the question of the interpretation and extent of the Petrine ministry, we do concur on Apostolic succession, we are profoundly united with one another over episcopal ministry and the Sacrament of the priesthood, and together we confess the faith of the Apostles as it was given us in Scripture, and as interpreted by the great councils.

  "In the world at this time so full of skepticism and doubt, but also rich in the desire for God, we again recognize our mission of bearing witness together to Christ the Lord and, on the basis of the unity that has been granted us, to help the world to believe. We pray to the Lord with all our heart that He may guide us to full unity so that the splendor of truth, that alone can create unity, again becomes visible in the world."

  Benedict XVI concluded by highlighting the fact that "the Church is not of herself holy but is made up of sinners, as we all know and we can all see. Rather, she is forever sanctified anew by Christ's purifying love. Not only has God spoken, He has loved us in a very real sense, loved us even unto the death of His own Son."
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COLLABORATE IN DEFENDING LIFE AND SERVING TRUE PEACE

VATICAN CITY, JUN 28, 2005 (VIS) - In the Paul VI Hall this evening, Benedict XVI participated in a celebration in his honor organized and promoted by the Family of St. Luigi Orione, the Youth Missionary Service - Arsenal of Peace from the Italian city of Turin,  the Italian Civil Protection and the "Papaboys" Association.

  A number of Italian singers, and a group of young disabled people from Poland, Jordan and Italy, participated in the celebration, the theme of which was "so many hearts around the Pope, messenger of peace."

  In his address, the Holy Father recalled how St. Luigi Orione would "speak with intense affection of the person of the Pope, recognizing his role not only within the Church but also at the service of the entire human family."

  After highlighting the fact that the evening's celebration had emphasized one particular aspect of the ministry of Peter's Successor, that of being a "messenger of peace," the Pope asked: "How can I not take advantage of your presence to render homage to so many silent 'builders of peace' who, through their testimony and their sacrifice, strive to promote dialogue between people, to overcome all forms of conflict and division, and to make of our world a homeland of peace and fraternity for all men and women?"

  Benedict XVI encouraged everyone present, "each in their own field and in accordance with their possibilities, to offer their collaboration in safeguarding the dignity of all men, in defending human life and in undertaking decisive action for authentic peace in all social fields."

  Addressing the young especially, the Pope concluded by recalling that his predecessor John Paul II, "whose cause of beatification begins today," liked to say "that you young people are the hope and future of the Church and of humanity. May there be an ever greater will in everyone's heart to create a world of authentic and stable peace."
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NOTICE

VATICAN CITY, JUN 28, 2005 (VIS) - As previously announced, there will be no edition of VIS tomorrow, June 29, Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles, and a holiday in the Vatican. Service will resume on Thursday, June 30.
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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 28, 2005 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Fr. Raymond Centene of the clergy of the diocese of Perpignan, diocesan chancellor and pastor of the parish of Saint-Joseph-de-la-Gare, as bishop of Vannes (area 6,822, population 606,600, Catholics 600,000, priests 444, permanent deacons 45, religious 1,827), France. The bishop-elect was born in Banyuls-sur-Mer, France, in 1958 and ordained a priest in 1993. He succeeds Bishop Francois-Mathurin Gourves, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.
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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JUN 28, 2005 (VIS) - Yesterday, the Holy Father received in audience Cardinal Marian Jaworski, archbishop of Lviv of the Latins, Ukraine, and Cardinal Franciszek Macharski, archbishop of Krakow, Poland.
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POPE TO TAKE MOUNTAIN VACATION FROM JULY 11 TO 28

VATICAN CITY, JUN 28, 2005 (VIS) - Next month, the Pope is due to travel to Les Combes in the Valle d'Aosta region of northwestern Italy, where he will spend a period of relaxation from July 11 to 28, according to a communique from the Prefecture of the Pontifical Household.

  During this period, the Wednesday general audiences of July 13, 20 and 27 will be suspended. On Sunday, July 17 and 24, the Pope will pray the Angelus from his residence in Les Combes.

  On Thursday July 28, Benedict XVI will travel to the Apostolic Palace of Castelgandolfo, his summer residence south of Rome.

  Over the summer period, all private and special audiences are suspended. The general audiences will resume regularly from Wednesday, August 3.
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CAUSE OF BEATIFICATION OF JOHN PAUL II OPENS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 28, 2005 (VIS) - This afternoon, eve of the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles, in the St. John Lateran Basilica in Rome, the opening session will be held of the diocesan investigation into the life, virtues and fame of saintliness of Servant of God John Paul II (Karol Wojtyla).

  On May 13, in the course of a meeting with the Roman clergy held in the same basilica, Benedict XVI announced the opening of the cause, waiving the normal waiting period of five years after the death of a Servant of God.

  The diocesan tribunal of Rome is responsible for the first phase of the process (an analysis of the life and writings of the Servant of God, and the hearing of witnesses). If a positive verdict is forthcoming, the case will pass to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints where, following a fresh examination of the material, extraordinary favors that may be miracles will be studied with the help of doctors and experts. Following the certification of a miracle, the Pope could order beatification.

  The official Internet site for the cause of beatification of John Paul II is: www.JohnPaulIIBeatification.org . The postulator of the cause, Msgr. Slawomir Oder, explains that the site will soon "offer a space for giving testimony of grace received, ... personal encounters with John Paul II, and prayer meetings throughout the world in support of the cause of beatification."

  The site also contains, in various languages, the prayer approved by the vicariate of Rome to implore the intercession of Servant of God John Paul II.

  "O Blessed Trinity. We thank You for having graced the Church with Pope John Paul II and for allowing the tenderness of your Fatherly care, the glory of the cross of Christ, and the splendor of the Holy Spirit, to shine through him. Trusting fully in Your infinite mercy and in the maternal intercession of Mary, he has given us a living image of Jesus the Good Shepherd, and has shown us that holiness is the necessary measure of ordinary Christian life and is the way of achieving eternal communion with you. Grant us, by his intercession, and according to Your will, the graces we implore, hoping that he will soon be numbered among your saints. Amen."
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COMPENDIUM OF CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC CHURCH PRESENTED

VATICAN CITY, JUN 28, 2005 (VIS) - The Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church was presented today. It was prepared by a special commission of cardinals presided by the then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who was at the time prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

  The need for such a book emerged during the 2002 International Catechetical Congress, called to commemorate ten years since the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. A suggestion was put to the Holy Father John Paul II that a compendium be prepared in order to meet two essential objectives: concision and focus on essentials.

  John Paul II accepted the proposal and a year later instituted a special commission of cardinals who began work on the compendium. A first draft was sent to cardinals and presidents of episcopal conferences all over the world. Following the largely positive response to the draft, the commission proceeded to revise it taking into account the suggestions received.

  The text being presented today has 205 pages containing 598 questions and answers, 15 images, an appendix (of the main Christian prayers and certain formulae of Catholic doctrine) and an alphabetical index.

  Archbishop Angelo Amato S.D.B., secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, explained that the principal characteristics of the compendium are "its strict reliance on the Catechism of the Catholic Church, its text in the form of a dialogue, and its use of images for catechesis." He underlined the fact that this "is not an autonomous work and in no way aims to substitute the Catechism of the Catholic Church, on the contrary it constantly refers back to the Catechism, both by indicating reference numbers and by referring continuously to the structure, development and contents" of the Catechism. The new work, moreover, "aims to awaken a renewed interest and enthusiasm for the Catechism, which ... remains the basic text for ecclesial catechesis today."

  The compendium is divided into four parts, corresponding to the fundamental laws of the life of Christ. The first part, "Profession of Faith," provides a brief summary of the "lex credendi," in other words, the faith professed by the Catholic Church on the basis of the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, "the constant proclamation of which in Christian assemblies keeps the principal truths of the faith alive in memory."

  The second part, "Celebration of the Christian Mystery," presents the essential elements of the "lex celebrandi," because "the announcement of the Gospel finds its authentic response in sacramental life, in which the faithful experience ... the salvific power of the Paschal mystery."

  "Life in Christ" is the title of the third part of the compendium, dedicated to the "'lex vivendi,' through which the baptized manifest their commitment to the faith they have professed and celebrated, through their actions and ethical choices."

  The final section, "Christian Prayer," summarizes the "lex orandi," the life of prayer. The Christian is called to a dialogue with God in prayer, one expression of which is the Our Father, the prayer that Jesus Himself taught us.

  Referring to the fact that the text of the compendium takes the form of a dialogue, the secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith noted how this "makes the text notable shorter, reducing it to what is essential. This may help the reader to grasp the contents and possibly to memorize them as well."

  In closing, Archbishop Amato explained the use of images in the book, inviting catechists to make use of the rich heritage of Christian iconography. "In the current culture of images," he observed, "a sacred image can express much more than words. ... It certainly has an aesthetic value, but above all its value is recollective (recalling the mysteries of salvation), catechetical (for teaching and instruction), and theological, because it presents in artistic form the facts and the various aspects of the doctrine of the faith."
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COMPENDIUM OF CATECHISM: A NEW IMPULSE TO EVANGELIZATION

VATICAN CITY, JUN 28, 2005 (VIS) - This morning in the Clementine Hall, Benedict XVI presided at a liturgical celebration for the official presentation of the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

  At the beginning of the ceremony, one of the cardinals who had been part of the special commission charged with compiling the compendium thanked the Holy Father for the book.

  Following the singing of a number of psalms and a reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians, the Pope pronounced his homily.

  Benedict XVI recalled how, ever since the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church in 1992, the need had been felt for "a brief, concise catechism, containing all and only the essential and fundamental elements of Catholic faith and morals, formulated in a simple, universally-accessible, clear and succinct manner."

   The Pope said that through the cardinals, bishops, priests, religious, catechists and lay people present at the ceremony, he wished "ideally to consign this compendium to all people of good will who wish to know the unfathomable richness of the salvific mystery of Jesus Christ."

  He continued: "This is certainly not a new catechism, but a compendium that faithfully reflects the Catechism of the Catholic Church" which "maintains intact, then, all its authority and importance, and will find in this summary a valuable support to become better-known and more widely used as a fundamental tool of education in the faith."

  After highlighting that the new compendium "is a renewed announcement of the Gospel," the Holy Father explained how it presents the faith "in a dialogic format" and how "the brevity of the responses favors the essential concision and clarity of communication."

  As for the sacred images that appear at the beginning of each section, Benedict XVI said that they too are "an announcement of the Gospel and express the splendor of Catholic truth, showing the supreme harmony between the good and the beautiful, between the 'via veritatis' and the 'via pulchritudinis'."

  The Pope concluded by thanking everyone who helped prepare the compendium, expressing the desire that it may serve as "a new impulse to evangelization and catechesis."

  Following his homily, the Holy Father distributed various copies of the compendium to a cardinal, a bishop, and various priests, religious and lay people.
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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JUN 27, 2005 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

 - Nine prelates from the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops' Conference, on their "ad limina" visit:

    - Archbishop Robert Christopher Ndlovu of Harare.

    - Archbishop Pius Alick Ncube of Bulawayo.

    - Bishop Michael Dixon Bhasera of Masvingo.

    - Bishop Angel Floro Martinez I.E.M.E., of Gokwe.

    - Bishop Alexio Churu Muchabaiwa of Mutare, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Patrick Mumbure Mutume.

    - Fr. Alphonce Mapfumu, diocesan administrator of Gweru.

    - Fr. Alberto Serrano S.M.I.,  diocesan administrator of Hwange.

    - Fr. Matthew Jonga, diocesan administrator of Chinhoyi.

 - Afif E. Safieh, director of the Palestinian Liberation Organization's Office of Representation to the Holy See, on his farewell visit.

  On Saturday, June 25, he received in separate audiences:

 - Cardinal Marc Ouellet P.S.S., archbishop of Quebec, Canada.

- Nine prelates from the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, on their "ad limina" visit:

    - Archbishop Karl Hesse M.S.C., of Rabaul, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Patrick Taval M.S.C.

    - Bishop Paul John Marx M.S.C., of Kerema.

    - Bishop Henk Kronenberg S.M., of Bougainville.

    - Bishop Ambrose Kiapseni M.S.C., of Kavieng.

    - Bishop Alphonse Liguori Chaupa of Kimbe.

    - Archbishop Adrian Thomas Smith S.M., of Honiara, Solomon Islands.

    - Bishop Christopher Cardone O.P., of Auki, Solomon Islands.

    - Bishop Bernard Cyril O'Grady O.P., of Gizo, Solomon Islands.

    - Bishop Gerard-Joseph Deschamps S.M.M., emeritus of Bereina.
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POPE CALLS FOR PRUDENT DRIVING DURING VACATIONS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 26, 2005 (VIS) - Pope Benedict, in addressing tens of thousands of faithful in St. Peter's Square this morning as they gathered to pray the Angelus, spoke of the solemnity Wednesday of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles and patrons of Rome, and said this feast "will be a significant occasion to underline the unity and catholicity of the Church."

  "As has been done in the past," he noted, "there will be a special delegation present, sent by the ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople. I invite the faithful in Rome, who venerate the holy apostles Peter and Paul as their special patrons, pilgrims and the entire People of God to pray for heavenly protection on the Church and her pastors."

  Then, noting that summer holidays are starting in the countries of the northern hemisphere, the Holy Father said: "While I hope that everyone can live with serenity a period of well-earned rest and relaxation, I would like to make an appeal for prudence for all those who are starting their trip to vacation spots. Every day, unfortunately, especially over the weekend, there are many highway accidents with so many lives tragically cut short, more than half of whom are young people.

  "In recent years," added Benedict XVI, "much has been done to prevent such tragic accidents but more can and must be done, with everyone's contribution and commitment. Distraction and superficiality must be vanquished for, in a single moment, they can ruin one's own life and that of others. Life is precious and unique: it must always be respected and protected, even with a correct and prudent behaviour on the highway."
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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 25, 2005 (VIS) - The Holy Father accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the territorial prelature of Juli, Peru, presented by Bishop Elio Alevi Perez Tapia S.D.B., in accordance with Canon 401, para. 2 of the Code of Canon Law.
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THEME OF WORLD DAY OF PEACE 2006: "IN TRUTH IS PEACE"

VATICAN CITY, JUN 25, 2005 (VIS) - "In Truth is Peace" is the theme of the Message of the Holy Father Benedict XVI for the 39th World Day of Peace, to be held on January 1, 2006.

  A communique announcing the theme recalls how the Pastoral Constitution "Gaudium et spes" affirms that humanity "cannot accomplish its task of building for all men everywhere a world more genuinely human unless each person devotes himself to the cause of peace with renewed vigor."

  The communique goes on: "Peace is true because it responds to a desire inscribed by the Creator in all men's hearts. ... Human rights cry out to be enforced. ... When human activity does not respect the order of things (that natural 'grammar' about which Pope John Paul II spoke to the General Assembly of the United Nations on October 5, 1995), when it restricts human life and impedes its development, when it imposes intolerable sacrifices on peoples, then peace does not exist, because there is no respect for the truth of things."

  The communique also highlights that "peace is the 'tranquillitas ordinis,' in other words the situation that allows the full extension of the truth of man. Man's thirst for truth as the fullness of being is translated into a desire for peace, for non-disorder, for true peace or the truth of peace.

  "Real truth," the communique concludes, "is also peaceful. It reconciles, puts an end to isolation. The truth illuminates, makes it possible to discern the path of true human relationships, enables errors to be corrected, it brings reconciliation with oneself and with others, transparency in one's dealings and faith to one's word."
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JUNE 29 MASS, CONFERRING OF PALLIUMS IN ST. PETER'S BASILICA

VATICAN CITY, JUN 25, 2005 (VIS) - On Wednesday, June 29, solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, apostles, Pope Benedict XVI will preside at a Eucharistic concelebration with Cardinal Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals, and with a number of metropolitan archbishops upon whom he will confer the pallium near the 'confessio' of St. Peter in the Vatican Basilica. Mass will start at 9:30 a.m., according to a note from the Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff, dated May 19 and published today.
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IN PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL, GO FORWARD IN HOPE!

VATICAN CITY, JUN 25, 2005 (VIS) - The Holy Father welcomed 27 prelates this morning from the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands and, in his talk to them as they conclude their "ad limina" visit, encouraged them to be effective instruments of Christ and, "united in your proclamation of the Good News of Jesus Christ, go forward in hope!"

  The Pope noted that "Jesus Christ continues to draw the peoples of your two island nations to a still deeper faith and life in Him. ... The recent national 'General Assembly' in Papua New Guinea and the 'Seminar' in the Solomon Islands have addressed this task. From these two events clear signs of hope have emerged including the keen participation of the young in the mission of the Church, the outstanding generosity of missionaries, and the flowering of local vocations. At the same time you have not hesitated to recognize the difficulties which continue to afflict your dioceses. ... The faithful look to you to be courageous witnesses to Christ."

  "Priests are and must be a bishop's closest cooperators," underscored Benedict XVI. "Your interest in their well-being must be of the utmost importance to you. This special relationship is expressed most effectively through your assiduous care to uphold the unique identity of your priests, to encourage their personal sanctification in the ministry, and to foster a deepening of their pastoral commitment."

  The Holy Father stated that "priestly identity must never be likened to any secular title or confused with civic or political office. Rather, configured to Christ Who emptied Himself taking the form of a servant, the priest lives a life of simplicity, chastity and humble service, which inspires others by example. At the heart of the priesthood is the daily, devout celebration of Holy Mass. In this Year of the Eucharist I appeal to your priests: be faithful to this commitment."

   Noting that evangelization is one of the bishops' priorities, as is "concern for the human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral development of your seminarians, as well as men and women religious in training," the Pope encouraged the bishops "to ensure careful selection of candidates, to supervise your seminaries personally and to provide regular programmes of ongoing formation so necessary for deepening priestly and religious identity and enriching joyful commitment to celibacy.  Finally in this regard, I offer my prayers of deep gratitude for those who serve in seminaries and houses of formation.  Please let them know that the Holy Father thanks them for their generosity."

  Pope Benedict told the bishops that if their catechists' "great zeal" for evangelization is to succeed, "then the pastoral priorities which you have identified - especially that of marriage and stable family life - will require corresponding, appropriate adult catechetical programmes."
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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 24, 2005 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Erected the new diocese of Gulbarga (area 38,752, population 7,012,492, Catholics 6,425, priests 29, religious 111), India, with territory taken from the archdiocese of Hyderabad and from the dioceses of Bellary and Belgaum, making it a suffragan of the metropolitan church of Bangalore. He appointed Fr. Robert Miranda of the clergy of Mangalore, episcopal vicar of Bidar, as first bishop of the new diocese. The bishop-elect was born in Kirem, India, in 1952 and ordained a priest in 1978.

 - Appointed Fr. Fidelis Rakotonarivo S.J., spiritual director and bursar of the seminary of Fianarantosa, as bishop of Ambositra (area 24,000, population 695,651, Catholics 334,786, priests 71, religious 146), Madagascar. The bishop-elect was born in Ambohimahazo, Madagascar, in 1956 and ordained to the priesthood in 1992.

 - Appointed Msgr. Alfonso Cortes Contreras, rector of the Pontifical Mexican College in Rome, as auxiliary bishop of Monterrey (area 17,886, population 6,809,345, Catholics 5,146,211, priests 509, permanent deacons 25, religious 1,048), Mexico. The bishop-elect was born in Michoacan, Mexico, in 1947 and ordained a priest in 1972.
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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JUN 24, 2005 (VIS) - This evening the Holy Father is scheduled to receive in separate audiences:

 - Archbishop Angelo Amato S.D.B., secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

 - Cardinal Angelo Scola, patriarch of Venice, Italy.
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BENEDICT XVI PAYS OFFICIAL VISIT TO PRESIDENT OF ITALY

VATICAN CITY, JUN 24, 2005 (VIS) - Pope Benedict XVI, returning the visit to the Vatican by Italian President Carlo Azeglio Campi on May 3, today went to the Quirinale Palace, home to Italy's presidents, where he met privately with Ciampi, following which there were official speeches in the "Salone delle Feste."

  The Pope left the Vatican at 10:30 a.m. in an open car. Just outside Vatican City, in Pius XII Square, he was greeted by a delegation of the Italian government led by Foreign Minister Gianfranco Fini. The Holy Father's motor cavalcade stopped a second time in Piazza Venezia, near Rome's City Hall, where he was greeted by Rome Mayor Walter Veltroni. Upon his 11 a.m. arrival at the Quirinale, President Ciampi welcomed Benedict XVI and, once inside the palace, they were joined by former Italian presidents Francesco Cossiga and Oscar Luigi Scalfaro, the presidents of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. Among those present for the Vatican was Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano.

  Today's visit was the eighth time a Pope has been to the Quirinale. The first was Pius XII in 1939. John Paul II went to the Quirinale in 1984, 1986 and again in 1998.

  Following greetings from President Ciampi, the Pope delivered his address, assuring citizens of Rome and Italy of his "commitment to work with all my strength for the religious and civil wellbeing of those the Lord has entrusted to my pastoral care."

  The Holy Father recalled how relations between the Church and the Italian State "are founded on the principle expressed during Vatican Council II, according to which 'the Church and the political community in their own fields are autonomous and independent from each other. Yet both, under different titles, are devoted to the personal and social vocation of the same people'."

  For this reason, the Pope went on, "a healthy laicism of the State" is legitimate, "by virtue of which temporal situations are governed according to their own norms, yet without excluding those ethical references whose ultimate foundations are to be found in religion. The autonomy of the temporal sphere does not exclude an intimate harmony with higher and more complex necessities deriving from an integral vision of man and of his eternal destiny."

  Benedict XVI expressed the hope that the Italian people, "not only do not deny the Christian heritage that makes up part of their history, but guard it jealously and bring it once again to produce fruits worthy of the past. I have faith that Italy, under the wise and exemplary guidance of those called to govern her, will continue to undertake the civilizing mission in the world, in which she has so distinguished herself over the centuries. By virtue of her history and culture, Italy can make a valid contribution, especially to Europe, helping it to rediscover those Christian roots that enabled it to be great in the past, and that still today can favor the profound unity of the continent."

  The Pope indicated that the numerous concerns of the start of his pontificate - concerns "that cannot but be of interest to leaders of public life" - include "the problem of safeguarding the family based on matrimony, as recognized by the Italian Constitution, the problem of the defense of human life, ... and the problem of education."

  The Church, he stressed, "sees in the family a very important value that must be defended from all attacks that aim to undermine its solidity and put its very existence in doubt. In human life, moreover, the Church recognizes a primary good, the basis for all other goods." On the subject of schooling, the Holy Father emphasized its role as a "natural expansion" of the formative role of the family. "While fully respecting the competency of the State to dictate general norms for education, I cannot but express the hope that the right of parents to a free educational choice be respected, without their having to support the additional weight of further burdens. I trust that Italian legislators, in their wisdom, know how to find 'human solutions' to these problems, in other words, solutions that respect the inviolable values implicated therein."

  Following his address, the Holy Father bid farewell to the Italian president before returning to the Vatican by open-top car.
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HOPE FOR RECONCILIATION IN HOLY LAND COMMUNITIES

VATICAN CITY, JUN 23, 2005 (VIS) - This morning the Holy Father received 70 participants in the annual meeting of ROACO (Reunion of Organizations for Aid to the Oriental Churches), which has spent the last few days examining the situation of the Greek-Catholic Church in Ukraine and the formation of students from the Oriental Catholic Churches.

  Benedict XVI affirmed that in the face of the prevailing culture of individualism "it is more than ever necessary that Christians offer a testimony of a solidarity that crosses all frontiers, in order to build a world in which everyone feels welcomed and respected. Those who accomplish this mission, either individually or as a community, propagate authentic love, the love that liberates the heart and everywhere spreads the joy 'that no one can take away' because it comes from the Lord."

  The Holy Father thanked ROACO for its help "to our needy brethren, and especially for your efforts aimed at giving tangible form to the charity that binds Christians of the Latin tradition and those of the Oriental tradition. To intensify such ties is to render a precious service to the universal Church. Continue, then, in this most worthy commitment."

  Referring to the Ukrainian Catholic Church, "whose continuous evolution following the sad winter of the Communist regime is a cause for joy and hope," the Holy Father said: "Support her ecclesial journey and favor everything that promotes reconciliation and fraternity among Christians of the beloved Ukraine."

  The Pope pointed out how the presence of 500 students from the Oriental Catholic Churches "represents a valuable opportunity." At the same time care must be taken to protect "the formative institutions in the Oriental Churches themselves. Alongside material assistance, encouragement must be given to formative activities which, on the one hand, intensify genuine local tradition while giving due consideration to the organic progress of the Oriental Churches and, on the other, lead to the authentic 'aggiornamento' proposed by Vatican Council II."

  After highlighting the fact that "all Christians have an unforgettable debt with Jerusalem and the Holy Land," Benedict XVI concluded by affirming that "certain positive signs we have received over the last few months strengthen our hope that the day of reconciliation between the various communities that work in the Holy Land will not be long in coming, and to this end we do not cease to pray with faith."
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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 23, 2005 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Bishop Bernard-Nicolas Aubertin O. Cist., of Chartres, France, as metropolitan archbishop of Tours (area 6,158, population 560,413, Catholics 347,456, priests 143, permanent deacons 16, religious 458), France. The archbishop-elect was born in Epinal, France, in 1944, was ordained to the priesthood in 1972 and consecrated a bishop in 1998.
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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JUN 23, 2005 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:
 
- Seven prelates from the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, on their "ad limina" visit:

    - Archbishop Brian James Barnes O.F.M., of Port Moresby, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Cherubim Dambui.

    - Bishop Hermann Raich S.V.D., of Wabag, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Arnold Orowae.

    - Bishop Francesco Panfilo S.D.B., of Alotau-Sideia.

    - Bishop John Ribat M.S.C., of Bereina.

    - Bishop Gilles Cote S.M.M., of Daru-Kiunga.

 - Fra' Andrew Bertie, prince and grand master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, accompanied by an entourage.

  This evening he is scheduled to receive in audience Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JUN 22, 2005 (VIS) - Following today's general audience, the Holy Father received in separate audiences:

 - Six members of the Special Council for Africa of the Synod of Bishops:

    - Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio to Israel and Cyprus and apostolic delegate to Jerusalem and Palestine.

    - Archbishop Bruno Musaro, apostolic nuncio to Guatemala.

    - Archbishop Mario Roberto Cassari, apostolic nuncio to Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Niger.

    - Archbishop Timothy Broglio, apostolic nuncio to the Dominican Republic and apostolic delegate to Puerto Rico.

    - Archbishop Andres Carrascosa Coso, apostolic nuncio to the Republic of Congo and Gabon.

    - Msgr. Francesco Follo, permanent observer to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
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ARCHBISHOP LAJOLO RETURNS FROM SOUTHEAST ASIA VISIT

VATICAN CITY, JUN 22, 2005 (VIS) - At midday today, Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls released the following declaration:

  "Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, secretary of the Holy See for Relations with States, returned to Rome today, following a trip to southeast Asia which lasted from June 11 to 22 and during which he visited Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam."

  "Archbishop Lajolo met with prelates from the Bishop's Conference of Thailand, as well as with the archbishop of Kuala Lumpur, the archbishop of Singapore, and the apostolic vicar for Brunei Darussalam. He also held talks with George Yong-Boon Yeo, foreign minister of Singapore, and with Vice Sultan Prince Haji Mohamed Bolkiah, foreign minister of Brunei.

  "In the course of his meetings with the diplomatic heads, attention was given to various aspects of the presence and life of the Catholic Church in those countries. Discussions particularly focussed on the situation of bilateral relations and other aspects of international affairs, with special reference to the southeast Asian region.

  "On Sunday, June 12, Archbishop Lajolo travelled to the parish of Our Lady of Assumption on the island of Phuket, Thailand, where he celebrated a Mass for the victims of the tsunami that devastated the region on December 26, 2004. He then inaugurated, in the village of Tha Chu, a number of small houses built by the Catholic Church for the families of fishermen struck by the tidal wave.

  "On Friday, June 17, in the city of Singapore, the secretary for Relations with States attended the inauguration of the exhibition: 'The Journey of Faith, Art and History from the Vatican Collections', which has been organized by the Vatican Museums and by the Asian Civilizations Museum, and participated in a well-received conference on the nature and aims of pontifical diplomacy."
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POPE CONFIRMS SPECIAL SYNOD FOR AFRICA

VATICAN CITY, JUN 22, 2005 (VIS) - Following this morning's general audience catechesis, Pope Benedict saluted the faithful in various languages, including greetings to the members of the Special Council for Africa of the Synod of Bishops who have been meeting at the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops.

   The Pope said that, "confirming the decision made by my venerated predecessor last November 13, I wish to announce my intention to call the Second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops. I have great hopes that such a gathering will mark a further impulse for evangelization on the African continent, the consolidation and growth of the Church and the promotion of reconciliation and peace."
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THE LORD SAVES US FROM DANGER AND FREES US FROM EVIL

VATICAN CITY, JUN 22, 2005 (VIS) - In today's general audience, held in St Peter's Square, the Pope spoke on the subject of Psalm 123: "Our help is in the name of the Lord."

  Benedict XVI explained to the 31,000 people present in the square that the psalm "is a song of thanksgiving sung by the entire community gathered in prayer, who raise praise to the Lord for the gift of freedom. ... If the Lord had not sided with the victims they, with their limited strength, would have been unable to free themselves and the adversaries, like beasts, would have torn them to pieces."

  The Pope continued: "Although it has been suggested that the reference is to a specific historical event, such as the end of the Babylonian exile, it is more likely that the psalm is a hymn of thanksgiving to the Lord for dangers evaded, and an imploration for Him to bring liberation from all evil."

  The Holy Father pointed out that "the life of men is surrounded by the snares of evildoers, who not only threaten his life but also want to destroy all human values. However, the Lord arises to defend and save the righteous."

  "The blessing expressed in the psalm brings us to understand that the destiny of the faithful, which was death, has been radically altered by salvific intervention. ... Prayer here becomes a sigh of relief rising from the depths of the soul: even when all human hopes collapse, the divine liberating force may appear."

  The Pope recalled how the psalm concludes "with a profession of faith that for centuries has formed part of Christian liturgy as an ideal premise for all our prayers: 'Adiutorium nostrum in nomine Domini, qui fecit caelum et terram' - 'Our help is in the name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth'."
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TELEGRAM FOR DEATH OF CARDINAL SIN

VATICAN CITY, JUN 22, 2005 (VIS) - Given below is the text of the telegram sent by Benedict XVI to Archbishop Gaudencio B. Rosales of Manila, Philippines, for the death yesterday at the age of 76 of Cardinal Jaime L. Sin, emeritus of the same archdiocese.

  "Deeply saddened by the death of Cardinal Jaime L. Sin, I offer heartfelt condolences to you and to all the clergy, religious and laity of the archdiocese of Manila. Recalling with gratitude Cardinal Sin's unfailing commitment to the spread of the Gospel and to the promotion of the dignity, common good and national unity of the Philippine people, I join you in praying that God our merciful Father will grant him the reward of his labors and welcome his noble soul into the joy and peace of His eternal Kingdom. To all assembled for the solemn Mass of Christian burial I cordially impart my apostolic blessing as a pledge of consolation and strength in the Lord."
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TELEGRAM FOR DEATH OF CARDINAL SIN

VATICAN CITY, JUN 22, 2005 (VIS) - Given below is the text of the telegram sent by Benedict XVI to Archbishop Gaudencio B. Rosales of Manila, Philippines, for the death yesterday at the age of 76 of Cardinal Jaime L. Sin, emeritus of the same archdiocese.

  "Deeply saddened by the death of Cardinal Jaime L. Sin, I offer heartfelt condolences to you and to all the clergy, religious and laity of the archdiocese of Manila. Recalling with gratitude Cardinal Sin's unfailing commitment to the spread of the Gospel and to the promotion of the dignity, common good and national unity of the Philippine people, I join you in praying that God our merciful Father will grant him the reward of his labors and welcome his noble soul into the joy and peace of His eternal Kingdom. To all assembled for the solemn Mass of Christian burial I cordially impart my apostolic blessing as a pledge of consolation and strength in the Lord."
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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 21, 2005 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

 - Accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Reno, U.S.A., presented by Bishop Phillip Francis Straling, in accordance with Canon 401, para. 2 of the Code of Canon Law.

 - Appointed Bishop Walter Allison Hurley, auxiliary of the archdiocese of Detroit, U.S.A., as bishop of Grand Rapids (area 17,592, population 1,283,717, Catholics 162,670, priests 136, permanent deacons 29, religious 289), U.S.A.

 - Appointed Msgr. John Gerard Noonan, president-rector of the Saint John Vianney College Seminary, as auxiliary of the archdiocese of Miami (area 12,836, population 4,036,799, Catholics 856,783, priests 361, permanent deacons 142, religious 509), U.S.A. The bishop-elect was born in Limerick, Ireland, in 1951 and ordained a priest in 1983.

 - Appointed Professor Giovanni Rocchi and Dr. Franco Berti, respectively, as director and vice director for health care and hygiene of the Governorate of Vatican City State.

 - Appointed Msgr. Giulio Viviani, official of pontifical ceremonies, as chaplain of the Gendarmerie of Vatican City State.
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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JUN 21, 2005 (VIS) - The Holy Father yesterday received in audience Cardinal Camillo Ruini, his vicar general for the diocese of Rome and president of the Italian Episcopal Conference, accompanied by Bishop Giuseppe Betori, secretary general of the episcopal conference.
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CARDINAL SODANO TO TAKE POSSESSION OF HIS TITULAR CHURCH

VATICAN CITY, JUN 21, 2005 (VIS) - The Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff communicated today that, on Sunday July 10 at 11 a.m., Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals and secretary of State, will take possession of the title of the suburbicarian church of Ostia, Santa Aurea in Ostia Antica.
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BENEDICT XVI TO TRAVEL TO COLOGNE AUGUST 18 TO 21

VATICAN CITY, JUN 21, 2005 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls announced today that "the Holy Father, Benedict XVI, will travel to Cologne, Germany from August 18 to 21 on the occasion of the 20th World Youth Day.

  "The Pope will depart Rome on Thursday, August 18 at 10 a.m. from Ciampino Airport, arriving Cologne after 2 hours of flight. The following day he will travel by car to Bonn where he will spend the day, returning to Cologne in the late afternoon. On Sunday, August 21, he will depart Cologne for Rome at 7:15 p.m., arriving at Ciampino two hours later."
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IN MEMORIAM

VATICAN CITY, JUN 20, 2005 (VIS) - The following prelates died in recent weeks:

 - Bishop Jose Mario Escobar Serna, emeritus of Palmira, Colombia, on June 10, at the age of 76.

- Bishop Thomas Kozhimala of Bhagalpur, India, on June 1, at the age of 65.

 - Archbishop Edward Anthony McCarthy, emeritus of Miami, U.S.A., on June 7, at the age of 87.

 - Archbishop Guglielmo Motolese, emeritus of Taranto, Italy, on May 5, at the age of 94.

 - Archbishop-bishop Andrea Pangrazio, emeritus of Porto-Santa Rufina,  Italy, on June 10, at the age of 95.

 - Bishop Petrus Malachias Van Diepen O.S.A., emeritus of Manokwari-Sorong, Indonesia, on April 1, at the age of 87.
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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 20, 2005 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Fr. Ghislain de Rasilly S.M., provincial vicar of the Marist Fathers for the Pacific Ocean, as bishop of Wallis and Futuna (area 256, population 14,987, Catholics 14,687, priests 10, religious 42), French Overseas Territories. The bishop-elect was born in Juvardeil, France, in 1943 and ordained a priest in 1971. He succeeds Bishop Lolesio Fuahea, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.

  On Saturday, June 18, it was made public that he:

 - Appointed Fr. Juan Carlos Vera Plasencia M.S.C, regional superior for Peru of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, as bishop prelate of the territorial prelature of Caraveli (area 29,229, population 115,000, Catholics 105,000, priests 14, religious 62), Peru. The bishop-elect was born in Trujillo, Peru, in 1961 and ordained a priest in 1988. He succeeds Bishop Bernhard Kuhnel Langer M.S.C., whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same territorial prelature the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.

 - Appointed Fr. Audilio Aguilar Aguilar of the clergy of Santiago de Veraguas, Panama, and pastor of the parish of St. Michael the Archangel, as bishop of Colon - Kuna Yala (area 8,167, population 248,000, Catholics 178,000, priests 32, religious 60), Panama. The bishop-elect was born in Canazas, Panama, in 1963, and ordained to the priesthood in 1990. He succeeds Bishop Carlos Maria Ariz Bolea C.M.F., whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.

 - Accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Huancavelica, Peru, presented by Bishop William Dermott Molloy McDermott, upon having reached the age limit. He is succeeded by Coadjutor Bishop Isidro Barrio Barrio.
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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JUN 20, 2005 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

 - Nine prelates from the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, on their "ad limina" visit:

    - Archbishop William Joseph Kurtz S.V.D., of Madang.

    - Bishop Austen Robin Crapp O.F.M., of Aitape.

    - Bishop Cesare Bonivento P.I.M.E., of Vanimo.

    - Bishop Anthony Joseph Burgess of Wewak.

    - Archbishop Michael Meier S.V.D., of Mount Hagen, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Douglas Young S.V.D.

    - Bishop Francesco Sarego S.V.D., of Goroka.

    - Bishop Henk Te Maarssen S.V.D., of Kundiawa.

    - Bishop Stephen Joseph Reichert O.F.M. Cap., of Mendi.

- Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, president of the Republic of Zambia, accompanied by his wife and an entourage.

  On Saturday, June 18, he received in separate audiences:

 - Elias Antonio Saca Gonzalez, president of the Republic of El Salvador, accompanied by his wife and an entourage.

 - Three prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Madagascar on their "ad limina" visit:

    - Bishop Zygmunt Robaszkiewcz M.S.F., of Morombe.

    - Bishop Donald Joseph Leo Pelletier  M.S., of Morondava.

    - Bishop Vincent Rakotozafy of Tolagnaro.

 - Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.
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MOSCOW: CARDINAL KASPER VISITS ORTHODOX PATRIARCHATE

VATICAN CITY, JUN 20, 2005 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls released the following declaration at noon today:

  "Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, will be in Moscow from June 20 to 23, 2005, in order to continue the dialogue with the Orthodox Patriarchate which began on the occasion of the solemn inauguration of the pontificate of Benedict XVI."
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MAY THE CHURCH BE A HOMELAND FOR REFUGEES

VATICAN CITY, JUN 19, 2005 (VIS) - Pope Benedict, before praying the noon Angelus with the pilgrims in St. Peter's Square, spoke of tomorrow's celebration of the United Nations-sponsored World Day of the Refugee, noting that this day "is to keep attention focused on the problems of those who are forced to leave their homeland."

  The Pope said that "the theme this year - 'The Courage to be a Refugee' - accents the strength of spirit needed by those who must leave everything, sometimes even their family, to escape serious difficulties and dangers. The Christian community feels close to those who live in this painful condition: it tries to support them and, in different ways, demonstrate love and interest, translated into concrete gestures of solidarity so that each person who is far from his homeland feels that the Church is their homeland where no one is a stranger."

  "The loving attention of Christians towards those in difficulty and their commitment for a more solidary society are continually nourished by active and aware participation in the Eucharist," said the Holy Father. "Active charity, in fact, is a criterion that gives evidence of the authenticity of our liturgical celebrations. May the Year of the Eucharist that we are living help diocesan and parish communities to revive this capacity to meet the challenge of so much poverty in our world."

  Following the Angelus prayer, Benedict XVI greeted the thousands of Polish faithful present, noting that "today in Warsaw, Poland's Eucharistic Congress concluded. During the solemn concelebration, three sons of that noble nation were inscribed in the book of Blesseds: Ladislao Findysz, Bronislao Markiewicz and Ignacy Klopotowski. I hope this significant ecclesial event contributes to strengthening the spirit of fraternal reconciliation, a necessary basis for building the communion of all those who participate in the one table of Christ."
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MADAGASCAR, BUILDING A SOCIETY THAT RESPECTS HUMAN DIGNITY

VATICAN CITY, JUN 18, 2005 (VIS) - Twenty bishops of Madagascar were welcomed by the Holy Father this morning who told them, as they conclude their "ad limina" visit, that he hoped the people of their nation "will live in the peace of God and will courageously pursue the building of a society ever more respectful of man and his dignity."

  "In this year of the Eucharist," said Benedict XVI, "I especially invite you to renew your attachment to Christ who never ceases giving Himself to us in this Sacrament. Through your exemplary life and your teaching, collaborating actively among yourselves, lead the faithful to friendship with Christ, exhorting them to live an ever more generous charity with regard to their brothers." The Pope noted that the laity, when they are faithful to their vocation, "working to establish a more just society, fighting corruption, insecurity and all forms of exploitation of the poorest, express the solicitude of the Church for the true good of man."

  As bishops, stated Pope Benedict, "we must help the faithful entrusted to us to acquire an enlightened faith, rooted in an intimate encounter with Christ. He must be the measure of everything, allowing us to discern where truth is so as to face the problems of today with an authentic fidelity to His teaching. In this perspective the inculturation of faith in Malagasy culture remains an important objective. Welcoming modernity does not exclude, but rather demands this taking root. Sustaining ourselves through an enlightened faith is indispensable for authentic progress in the search for unity of the disciples of Christ."

  The Holy Father dedicated closing remarks to priests, the bishops' closest collaborators, noting that, even though "living in difficult conditions, many are generous and close to the people. Sustain them in their difficulties, be for each one of them a father and a demanding guide." Priests must be men of intellectual, spiritual and moral quality who "throughout their lives give witness of an unconditional attachment to the person of Christ and His Church." He urged the bishops to "give priority to serious formation in seminaries and to seek to develop the means for the permanent formation of priests."
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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JUN 17, 2005 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

 - Ivan Gasparovic, president of the Slovak Republic, accompanied by his wife and an entourage.

 - Cardinal Oscar Andres Rodriguez Maradiaga S.D.B., archbishop of Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

- Three prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Madagascar on their "ad limina" visit:

    - Archbishop Fulgence Rabemahafaly of Fianarantsoa.

    - Bishop Charles-Remy Rakotonirina S.J., of Farafangana.

    - Bishop Jose Alfredo Caires de Nobrega S.C.I., of Mananjary.

  This evening he is scheduled to receive in audience Archbishop Angelo Amato S.D.B., secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

  Yesterday, Thursday June 16, he received in audience Bishop Renato Boccardo, secretary general of the Governorate of Vatican City State.
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PONTIFICAL COUNCIL SPONSORS MEETING ON STREET WOMEN

VATICAN CITY, JUN 17, 2005 (VIS) - The first international meeting on the pastoral ministry for the liberation of street women, promoted by the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, will be held at the council's San Calisto offices in Rome on June 20 and 21, according to a communique published today.

  An estimated 50 participants representing episcopal conferences, religious congregations and associations and institutions from 24 countries are expected to attend. While predominantly from Europe, participants will also represent Latin America, Africa and Asia.

  "The aim of this meeting," says the communique, "is to urge cooperation, and a certain coordination, among groups already committed on the front line to pastorally helping women living in difficult situations. The aspects of the problem range from prostitution to exploitation, to trafficking in women, to sex tourism. At the basis of this 'phenomenon' are migration, family and social shortcomings, economic problems and the dominance of sex in modern life.

  "Considering trafficking in human lives, the phenomenon involves a million people every year from developing countries, with women and children at greatest risk. In Thailand alone, it is estimated that there are between 150,000 and 200,000 street women, of whom 35,000 are under age 18. In Italy there are an estimated 40,000 street women, of whom 4,000 are minors and many are non-European. The International Migration Organization calculates that about half a million women, coming from Eastern Europe, have become enslaved and obliged to become prostitutes in Western Europe."

  Council President Cardinal Stephen Fumio Hamao will speak on the theme of the meeting and Archbishop Agostino Marchetto, council secretary, will present the program and will address several of the topics under discussion.
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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JUN 16, 2005 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

 - Reverend Samuel Kobia, Methodist pastor and secretary general of the World Council of Churches, accompanied by his wife and an entourage.

- Three prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Madagascar on their "ad limina" visit:

    - Cardinal Armand Gaetan Razafindratandra, archbishop of Antananarivo, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Jean-Paul Randriamanana.

    - Bishop Joseph Ignace Randrianasolo of Mahajanga.

  This evening he is scheduled to receive in separate audiences:

 - His Beatitude Cardinal Ignace Moussa I Daoud, prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches.

 - Cardinal James Francis Stafford, penitentiary major of the Apostolic Penitentiary, accompanied by Fr. Gianfranco Girotti, O.F.M. Conv., regent of the Apostolic Penitentiary.
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CHURCH'S COMMITMENT TO CHRISTIAN UNITY IS IRREVERSIBLE

VATICAN CITY, JUN 16, 2005 (VIS) - Benedict XVI today received Reverend Samuel Kobia, secretary general of the World Council of Churches (WCC), accompanied by his wife and members of his delegation who this week have been on an official visit to Rome.

  The Pope recalled how relations between the Catholic Church and the WCC developed during Vatican Council II and that in 1965 this led "to the establishment of the Joint Working Group as an instrument of ongoing contact and cooperation. ... Next November an important consultation on the future of the Joint Working Group will be held to mark the fortieth anniversary of its founding. My hope and prayer is that its purpose and working methodology will be further clarified for the sake of ever more effective ecumenical understanding, cooperation and progress."

  The Pope went on: "In the very first days of my pontificate I stated that my 'primary task is the duty to work tirelessly to rebuild the full and visible unity of all Christ's followers.' This requires ... 'concrete gestures which enter hearts and stir consciences… inspiring in everyone that inner conversion that is the prerequisite for all ecumenical progress'."

  The Holy Father expressed the hope that Rev. Tobia's visit to the Holy See "has been fruitful, strengthening the bonds of understanding and friendship between us. The commitment of the Catholic Church to the search for Christian unity is irreversible. I therefore wish to assure you that she is eager to continue cooperation with the World Council of Churches."
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BENEDICT XVI WELCOMES SEVEN NEW AMBASSADORS TO HOLY SEE

VATICAN CITY, JUN 16, 2005 (VIS) - Pope Benedict today received the Letters of Credence of seven new ambassadors to the Holy See, including the first ever representative from the Republic of Azerbaijan. Following his welcome address in French, the Pope presented each ambassador with a written message with references to the specific civil and religious situation in his country.

  The new ambassadors are: Elchin Oktyabar oglu Amirbayov of Azerbaijan; El Hadj Aboubacar Dione of Guinea; Antonio Ganado of Malta, Geoffrey Kenyon Ward of New Zealand; Joseph Bonesha of Rwanda, Jean-Francois Kammer of Switzerland and David Douglas Hamadziripi of Zimbabwe.

  The Pope said that, through the diplomats, he wished to address the peoples of their countries, telling them "I am close to them and pray for them. I invite them to commit themselves to fashion an ever more fraternal civilization, with renewed attention to everyone, especially the poorest people and those excluded from society."

  "In this sense," he went on, "our world is faced with many challenges that it must surmount so that man will always be more important than technology, and the just destiny of peoples is the main concern of those who have accepted to administer public affairs, not for themselves, but for the common good. Our heart cannot be in peace when we see our brothers suffer for lack of food, work, housing or other fundamental goods."

  To help our needy brothers and sisters, underscored Benedict XVI, "we have to face the first of these challenges: that of solidarity between generations, solidarity between countries and between continents, for a more equitable sharing among all men of the riches of the planet. It is one of the basic services that men of good will must give to mankind. The earth has, in fact, the capacity to feed all its inhabitants, on the condition that rich countries do not keep for themselves what belongs to everyone."

  The Church, said the Holy Father, will never cease to remind people that "all men must be attentive to a human fraternity made of concrete gestures, at the level of individuals as well as at the level of governments and international institutions. ... The Church will continue on all continents to come to the aid of populations, with the support of local communities and all men and women of good will, especially in the fields of education, health care and basic goods."
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COMPENDIUM OF CATECHISM TO BE PRESENTED JUNE 28

VATICAN CITY, JUN 15, 2005 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls made the following statement this morning:

  "The Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church will be presented on June 28, in the course of a solemn liturgical celebration in the presence of Pope Benedict XVI. The Compendium was prepared by a commission presided by the then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger.

  "The Catechism of the Catholic Church was presented to the faithful and to the whole world by Pope John Paul II on December 7, 1992, who described it as 'a sure and authentic reference text.'

  "Following the request for greater appreciation of the Catechism, and in order to meet a widespread need that emerged during the 2002 International Catechetical Congress, in 2003 the Holy Father established a special commission, presided by the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, that he charged with preparing a Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, containing a more concise and dialogic version of the same contents of Catholic faith and morals.

  "The text will become available to the public beginning on June 29, 2005, Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, pillars of the universal Church and exemplary evangelizers of the Gospel. The entire Church is now invited to imitate them in their missionary zeal and to pray the Lord that He grant her the chance to follow, even today, their teaching which brought the joyful announcement of the Gospel to the whole world.

  "Forty years after the end of Vatican Council II, and in the heart of the Year of the Eucharist, the Compendium can represent a precious support to satisfy the hunger for truth felt by all human beings of whatever age or condition.

  "The text of the Compendium will be published by the Vatican Publishing House together with the San Paolo Publishing House which will also oversee the distribution of the book in Italy. Translations and editions in the various languages will involve the respective episcopal conferences."
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PONTIFICAL COUNCIL WELCOMES ANNOUNCEMENT OF DEBT RELIEF

VATICAN CITY, JUN 15, 2005 (VIS) - The Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace issued a communique yesterday in which it welcomed the announcement by the G8, the governments of the world's eight most wealthy nations, to cancel $40 billion in debt owed by eighteen developing countries and the plan to expand the program of debt forgiveness to an additional 20 countries.

   "For many years," states the note, "the Church has called for a reduction or outright forgiveness of the debts owed to developed countries by developing countries. In many of his messages for the World Day of Peace, Pope John Paul II spoke of the burden that these debts placed upon the hope for development that these countries so desperately seek. ... Finally there has been a move by the G8 in that direction. ... The Council commends British Prime Minister Tony Blair for the initiative on the eve of the G-8 Summit, as well as all of the leaders of the other governments who have agreed to it."

  The Pontifical Council, continues the statement, "calls for the money that will now be freed to be used to bring about real and sustainable development opportunities to the people of those countries. This can be accomplished through providing necessary public goods such as clean water, safe sanitation, basic health care and educational opportunities. ... It is the responsibility of the governments of all nations to continue to work toward achieving the promises that have been made over the past thirty years. This includes the commitment to provide 0.7% of the GDP of developed countries as Official Development Assistance (ODA) to developing countries. The promise was made but only a small fraction of that money has ever been provided."

  "It is the hope of this Pontifical Council that the decision to forgive this initial $40 billion in debt might simply be the first of many steps taken by all developed countries to work toward true solidarity with one another."
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NEED FOR GOD'S HELP BEFORE THE RICH AND ARROGANT

VATICAN CITY, JUN 15, 2005 (VIS) - In today's general audience, held in a rain-soaked St. Peter's Square, the Pope spoke on the subject of Psalm 122: "The people's faith in the Lord."

  Benedict XVI told the 32,000 people who had gathered to hear him that this psalm describes "the faithful who raises his eyes to the Lord and awaits a divine response, in order to see a loving gesture, a benevolent gaze. ... The psalmist uses an image, that of the servant and the slave girl looking to the hand of their master, awaiting a liberating decision."

  The Holy Father continued: "The psalm is a plea in which the voice of one member of the faithful joins that of the entire community. ... The hope is expressed that the hands of the Lord will open to scatter forth gifts of justice and freedom."

  The Holy Father highlighted the importance of God's loving gaze, which appears in the second half of the psalm, "characterized by the cry: 'Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us!' This is a continuation of the end of the first part of the psalm, which emphasizes the idea of awaiting confidently: 'till He have mercy upon us.'

  "The faithful need God's intervention because they are in a dire situation, suffering scorn and disdain at the hands of the rich and arrogant. ... For this reason, the just have entrusted their cause to the Lord, Who does not remain indifferent to their imploring eyes, Who does not ignore their plea, Who does not disappoint their hope."
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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 15, 2005 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

 - Appointed Fr. Carlos Alberto dos Santos of the clergy of the archdiocese of Aracaju, Brazil, pastor of the parish of St Joseph, as bishop of Teixeira de Freitas-Caravelas (area 18,574, population 364,720, Catholics 292,000, priests 29, religious 42), Brazil. The bishop-elect was born in Tobias Barreto, Brazil, in 1955 and ordained a priest in 1983. He succeeds Bishop Antonio Eliseu Zuqueto O.F.M. Cap., whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.

 - Archbishop Joseph Chennoth, apostolic nuncio to the Central African Republic and Chad, as apostolic nuncio to Tanzania.
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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JUN 15, 2005 (VIS) - Today, following the general audience, the Holy Father received in separate audiences:

 - Archbishop Augustine Kasujja, apostolic nuncio to Madagascar, Mauritius and the Seychelles and apostolic delegate to the Comore Islands, with functions as apostolic delegate to Reunion Island.

 - Archbishop Joseph Chennoth, apostolic nuncio to the Central African Republic and Chad.

 - Archbishop Giuseppe De Andrea, apostolic nuncio to Kuwait, Bahrain, Yemen and Qatar, and apostolic delegate to the Arabian Peninsula.

  This evening he is scheduled to receive Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes, president of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum."
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COMBAT PREJUDICE TOWARDS CHRISTIANS AND OTHER BELIEVERS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 14, 2005 (VIS) - The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) organized an international conference June 8 and 9 in Cordoba, Spain on the theme: "Anti-Semitism and Other Forms of Intolerance."

  Archbishop Antonio Canizares of Toledo, Spain, head of the Holy See delegation, addressed both the opening session of the conference, as well as in the fifth session which was dedicated to "combating discrimination and intolerance against Christians and members of other religions."

  "The Catholic Church," affirmed Archbishop Canizares in his speech which was made public today, "condemns discrimination and stresses the need to avoid intolerance, which almost always turns into a limitation on rights and liberties and can even go so far as to marginalize and oppress human beings and the communities to which they belong."

  "The Holy See delegation would thus like to underline once more that, in the geographical area covered by this organization, intolerance and discrimination against Christians and members of other religions represent worrying phenomena. And they must be combated with the same determination with which we combat anti-Semitism and discrimination against Muslims. ... It is also necessary to avoid creating a kind of hierarchy of anti-Semitism, discrimination against Muslims and discrimination against Christians."

  The Archbishop of Toledo concluded by expressing the hope that the conference "becomes a propitious occasion for the OSCE to commit itself to establishing effective mechanisms and instruments to combat and contrast prejudice and false representations of Christians and members of other religions in the communications media and in the field of education; and that it encourages the real contribution of Churches and religious communities to the public life of nations."
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MEETING OF HEADS OF CATHOLIC CULTURAL CENTERS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 14, 2005 (VIS) - Today in Salta, Argentina, Cardinal Paul Poupard inaugurated the Second Meeting of Heads of Catholic Cultural Centers in the Southern Cone, delivering a talk entitled: "The Catholic Identity of Cultural Centers and Young People in Search of the Beauty that Captivates." The meeting is from June 14 to 16.

  The gathering, organized by the Pontifical Council for Culture on the theme, "The Catholic Identity of Cultural Centers and Young People in Public Life," will be presided over by Cardinal Poupard, council president, and by Archbishop Mario Cargnello of Salta. This meeting follows the one celebrated in Valparaiso, Chile in September 2003, which opened the way for the creation of a network of Catholic cultural centers in the area of the Southern Cone (southern Latin America: Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay).

  The program covers two principal themes: preferential concern for young people, threatened by the temptation to ever greater isolation from their commitment to public life; and the Catholic identity of the Church's cultural centers.

  For the occasion of the cardinal's visit to the city, the Catholic university of Salta will award him a doctorate "honoris causa," in an academic celebration due to be held on June 15.
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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JUN 13, 2005 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Eight prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Madagascar on their "ad limina" visit:

     - Bishop Antoine Scopelliti O.SS.T., of Ambatondrazaka, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Gaetano di Pierro S.C.I.

    - Bishop Felix Ramananarivo M.S., of Antsirabe.

    - Bishop Raymond Razakarinvony of Miarinarivo.

    - Bishop Gustavo Bombin Espino O.SS.T., of Tsiroanomandidy.

    - Archbishop Michel Malo of Antsiranana.

    - Bishop Odon Marie Arsene Razanakolona of Ambanja.

     - Bishop Desire Tsarahazana of Fenoarivo Atsinanana.

  - Archbishop Giambattista Diquattro, apostolic nuncio to Panama, accompanied by members of his family.

  On Saturday, June 11, he received in separate audiences:

 -  His Beatitude Cardinal Ignace Moussa I Daoud, prefect of the Congregation
for the Oriental Churches.

 - Fr. Peter-Hans Kolvenbach S.J., superior general of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits).

 - Three prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Madagascar on their "ad limina" visit:

    - Archbishop Fulgence Rabeony S.J., of Toliara.

    - Bishop Armand Toasy of Port-Berge.

    - Bishop Philippe Ranaivomanana of Ihosy.

 - Archbishop Nikola Eterovic, secretary general of the Synod of Bishops.

 - Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.
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