CARDINAL POUPARD SAYS MASS FOR COMMUNICATION PROFESSIONALS

VATICAN CITY, MAY 16, 1999 (VIS) - Cardinal Paul Poupard, president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, today celebrated a Mass in the Roman basilica of Santa Maria in Montesanto for all those who work in the field of cinema, show business and communications.

The Mass took place within the context of the Rome Citizens' Mission, which this year is concerned with the world of work.

In his homily, Cardinal Poupard recalled the Pope's recent Letter to Artists and made reference to this year's Message for World Communications Day which is being celebrated today. In it the Pope asks those responsible for the means of communication to commit themselves to promoting the search for the very essence of human life. The cardinal said that "the defense and promotion of this essence of human life, dear friends, lies at the center of the pastoral concerns of the Church. May it also be at the center of your own pastoral commitment and professional responsibility."

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REGINA COELI: SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS, KOSOVO AND PEACE

VATICAN CITY, MAY 16, 1999 (VIS) - In remarks following the Regina Coeli prayer, Pope John Paul made reference to World Communications Day, and also greeted a group of refugees from Kosovo.

"The Church today is celebrating World Communications Day," he said. "As I cordially greet all who work in the world of the mass media, I also encourage them to ensure - as I wrote in the annual Message for this day - that the means of social communications always constitute a friendly presence for the men and women of our time, helping them in their search for God, for good and for truth."

The Pope then welcomed "a large group of Kosovar refugees, who are the guests of Italian Caritas. Dear brothers and sisters, in this month of May we are praying in a special way for peace. May the intercession of Mary Most Holy obtain peace for you and for all the populations tormented by wars."

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CHARITABLE ACTION IS A WITNESS TO THE COMMANDMENT OF LOVE

VATICAN CITY, MAY 16, 1999 (VIS) - Following the Mass for the World Day of Charity, and before reciting the Regina Coeli with the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square, Pope John Paul reflected on the work of all those involved in charitable action, humanitarian aid and volunteerism.
He especially referred to "those great Catholic aid organizations which, with notable efforts, seek to fight the misery present in the world. Others represent that immense group of volunteers who, in many parts of the world, freely dedicate themselves to serving their neighbor. In the cases of natural disasters, emergency situations, wars and illnesses, large numbers of men and women, in a spirit of generous altruism, take care of those in difficulty and dedicate time and energy to them, in the image of the Good Samaritan."

"What is the specific contribution that Christians are called to offer?" the Holy Father asked. "They ... know how to give witness everywhere and with every possible means to the supreme commandment of love: 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, ... and with all your mind, and with all your strength. ... You shall love your neighbor as yourself'."

"When it remains faithful to the mandate and example of Christ," the Pope pointed out, "the Christian's charitable action becomes the proclamation of and witness to Christ who gives His life, heals the hearts of men, cures the wounds caused by hatred and sin, and brings joy and peace to all."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAY 17, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- General Vasco Joaquim Rocha Vieira, Governor of Macau, accompanied by his wife and entourage.
- Six prelates from the Kenya Episcopal Conference on their "ad limina" visit:
- Bishop Peter J. Kairo of Nakuru.
- Bishop Paul Darmanin O.F.M. Cap. of Garissa.
- Bishop John Njue of Embu.
- Bishop Cornelius Kipng'eno Arap Korir of Eldoret.
- Bishop Linus Okok of Homa Bay.
- Bishop Joseph Mairura Okemwa of Kisii.
- Eng Fong Pang, ambassador of Singapore on his farewell visit.

On Saturday May 15, he also received in separate audiences:

- Archbishop Adriano Bernardini, apostolic nuncio to Madagascar, the Seychelles and Mauritius and apostolic delegate to Reunion and the Comores.
- Seven prelates from the Kenya Episcopal Conference on their "ad limina" visit:
- Archbishop Nicodemus Kirima of Nyeri.
- Archbishop Zacchaeus Okoth of Kisumu.
- Bishop Philip Sulumeti of Kakamega.
- Bishop Urbanus Jospeh Kioko of Machakos.
- Bishop Silas Sylvius Njiru of Meru.
- Bishop Colin Cameron Davies M.H.M. of Ngong.
- Bishop Ambrogio Ravasi I.M.C. of Marsabit.
- Cardinal Lucas Moreira Neves, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

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POPE "EMBRACES" THE CHURCH'S MISSIONARIES

VATICAN CITY, MAY 14, 1999 (VIS) - "In welcoming you," the Holy Father told the national directors and staff members of the Pontifical Missionary Works, whom he received in audience this morning, "I wish to embrace all those who work, pray and suffer for the Church's evangelizing mission."

"I am thinking especially," he added, "of those who, in the midst of difficulties of every type, persevere faithfully where the Spirit has sent them, even to the point, at times, of offering up their lives. Let us thank the Lord for this generous witness of theirs, aware as we are that 'sanguis martyrum, semen christianorum'."

The Pope also recalled that today's meeting "takes place in proximity to the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000, the celebration of salvation which the Father has offered to all mankind. It thus comes spontaneously to mind, once again, that 'the mission of Christ the Redeemer, entrusted to the Church, is still far from completion'."

"The theme of your meeting this year," he pointed out, "is 'Missionary Cooperation in the Year 2000: enthusiastic promotion, vocations, personnel, spiritual and material assistance'." He encouraged them in their commitment to promote and form missionaries of the People of God, "a commitment which you already fulfill with great generosity. Among other things, this is shown by the continued increase in your central solidarity fund, made up principally of small contributions from so many people - the 'poor widows' of the Gospel - who offer out of their poverty."

There are four branches of the Pontifical Missionary Works, which come under the jurisdiction of the congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples: Propagation of the Faith, St. Peter Apostle, the Society of the Holy Childhood and the Pontifical Missionary Union.

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