AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAY 3, 2005 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

 - Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, president of the Italian Republic, accompanied by his wife and an entourage.

 - Cardinal Lubomyr Husar, major archbishop of Lviv of the Ukrainians, Ukraine.

 - Archbishop William Joseph Levada of San Francisco, U.S.A.

- Two prelates from the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Sri Lanka, on their 'ad limina' visit:

    - Bishop Thomas Savundaranayagam of Jaffna.

    - Bishop Joseph Vianney Fernando of Kandy.
AP:AL/.../...                                    VIS 20050503 (90)

POPE BENEDICT TO BE INSTALLED AS BISHOP OF ROME ON MAY 7

VATICAN CITY, MAY 3, 2005 (VIS) - On Saturday, May 7 at 5.30 p.m. the Holy Father Benedict XVI will preside at a Eucharistic celebration at St. John Lateran Basilica on the occasion of his taking possession of the Chair of the Bishop of Rome, according to an announcement from Archbishop Piero Marini, Master of the Liturgical Ceremonies of the Supreme Pontiff.

  The ecclesial community of Rome will be present at the Mass on Saturday to welcome its new bishop, Benedict XVI, to the basilica of the Most Holy Savior, "Mother and Head of all Churches." Cardinals present in Rome, members of the Diocesan Episcopal Council, the canons of the Lateran Basilica and the Council of Pastor Prefects will concelebrate with the Holy Father.

  Following the celebration at St. John Lateran, the Pope will go to the basilica of St. Mary Major to venerate the "Salus Populi Romani" icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
OCL/POSSESSION CATHEDRAL ROME/...            VIS 20050503 (170)

BENEDICT XVI RECEIVES ITALIAN PRESIDENT CIAMPI

VATICAN CITY, MAY 3, 2005 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls released the following declaration to journalists today following the visit this morning by Italian President Ciampi to the Holy Father:

  "Pope Benedict XVI this morning received the president of the Italian Republic, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, accompanied by his wife. Among the members of the official delegation was Foreign Minister Gianfranco Fini.

  "It was a very cordial meeting which allowed for an exchange of ideas on the bilateral relations between Italy and the Holy See.

  "In the course of the meeting, several themes regarding the European situation were discussed.

  "At the end of the visit to the Holy Father, President Ciampi was received by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of State."

  Navarro-Valls added that "the Holy Father Benedict XVI, readily accepting the courteous invitation of President Ciampi, will make an official visit to the Quirinale (Italian presidential palace) on Friday June 24, 2005."
OP/PAPAL VISIT:ITALIAN PRESIDENT/NAVARRO-VALLS  VIS 20050503 (170)