NEW BUILDINGS FOR THE BAMBINO GESU HOSPITAL

VATICAN CITY, JUL 19, 2006 (VIS) - Yesterday evening, in the presence of Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano, an agreement was concluded between the Basilica of St. Paul's Outside-the-Walls and the Bambino Gesu pediatric hospital, for the use of certain buildings and spaces currently available in the extraterritorial zone of St. Paul's.

  According to a communique made public today, "the buildings and land being made available will be used by the hospital to expand and to bring together on one site a number of offices and clinics." This "will make it possible to provide better service to children in a very densely populated area of Rome.

  "This solution," the communique adds, "will enable greater integration, both in terms of healthcare and of administration, of the services offered, with indubitable benefits for the young patients."

  The agreement was signed by Cardinal Andrea Cordero Lanza di Montezemolo, archpriest of the Basilica of St. Paul's Outside-the-Walls, and Francesco Silvano, president of the Bambino Gesu hospital. Both these Holy See institutions are located in Rome on extraterritorial land.
.../NEW SITE/BAMBINO GESU                        VIS 20060719 (190)

TELEGRAM OF CONDOLENCE FOR INDONESIAN TSUNAMI

VATICAN CITY, JUL 19, 2006 (VIS) - Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano sent the following telegram of condolence, in the name of the Pope, to the ecclesial and civil authorities of Indonesia for the tsunami that hit the island of Java on Monday and left more than 500 people dead and around 300 missing:

  "Deeply saddened to learn of the tragic consequences of the recent tsunami in Java, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI assures all those affected of his closeness in prayer. He commends the deceased to the loving mercy of the Almighty, and upon their grieving families he invokes divine blessings of strength and consolation. His Holiness likewise prays for the rescue workers and all involved in providing assistance to displaced families, encouraging them to persevere in their efforts to bring relief and support."
TGR/TSUNAMI/INDONESIA:SODANO                    VIS 20060719 (150)