OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, MAY 20, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Bishop Miguel Mykycej, F.D.P., apostolic administrator "sede vacante et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis" of the eparchy of Santa Maria del Patrocinio en Buenos Aires of the Ukrainians, as bishop of the same eparchy (Catholics 125,000, priests 17, religious 105), in Argentina.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAY 20, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Bishop Karl Lehmann of Mainz, Federal Republic of Germany.
- Professor Mario Luzi.

At 1 p.m. he had lunch with Italian bishops emeritus.

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POPE TALKS ON PEACE IN BALKANS, THE BATTLE OF MONTECASSINO

VATICAN CITY, MAY 19, 1999 (VIS) - During remarks to English-speaking visitors following the summary in their language of today's general audience catechesis, the Pope greeted the NATO Defense College, saying he was "always pleased to do so, ... recognizing your Organization's role in the service of peace.

"Today, unfortunately," he added, "the Balkans are without peace and we are daily witnesses of the great suffering of so many of our brothers and sisters. I urge you to keep clearly before your eyes the need for everyone to work to ensure that dialogue and negotiation will succeed in bringing an end to violence in the area."

Thereafter in Polish, he addressed a group of his compatriots, who had come from the Polish diaspora as well as from Poland itself, to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the "memorable battle of Montecassino," where the Allies, including a group from Poland, had combatted German forces.

John Paul II indicated that "the battle of Montecassino remains permanently etched in the history of Poland and Europe. It demonstrated how great is the value of love for the motherland and the desire to regain independence lost."

"In offering their lives and paying the price in blood, our countrymen laid the roots of a new Europe, one faithful to Christian tradition, aware of its spiritual roots and more united. They also laid the foundations of a new Poland. May the recollection of this battle endure incessantly, both for today's generations and those of the future. For us, this battle represents a great challenge in the formation of social life in the new reality."

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GENERAL AUDIENCE: DIALOGUE WITH THE GREAT WORLD RELIGIONS

VATICAN CITY, MAY 19, 1999 (VIS) - In today's general audience, held in St. Peter's Square, the Pope spoke on "dialogue with the great world religions."

John Paul II indicated that "the universal paternity of God, made manifest in Jesus Christ, is the stimulus to dialogue with other religions. ... At the basis of the Church's encounter with world religions lies the recognition of their specific character, in other words, the manner in which they approach the mystery of God, the Saviour." This dialogue presupposes that man, "created in God's image, is also the privileged 'place' of his salvational presence."

"The dialogue between Christianity and other religions has a number of forms and levels, starting with the dialogue of life," which is an opening to and an acceptance for all people. The dialogue of actions takes place through "the teaching of peace and of respect for the environment, solidarity with a suffering world, the promotion of social justice and the full development of peoples."

The Holy Father added that theological dialogue permits a deepening of "understanding of the different religious heritages and an appreciation of spiritual values. However, the meeting of specialists in the various religions must not be limited to the search for a lowest common denominator." Rather, they must "render a courageous service to the truth."

The dialogue of religious experience, he said, calls believers to contemplation in order to "penetrate more deeply into the mystery of God."

The Pope concluded the catechism by affirming that "mysticism must never be evoked in order to favor religious relativism or in name of an experience that reduces the value of God's revelation in history."

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JOHN PAUL II TO MAKE PASTORAL VISITS TO ARMENIA AND ANCONA

VATICAN CITY, MAY 19, 1999 (VIS) - John Paul II will undertake a pastoral visit to Armenia from July 2 to 4. He will leave from Fiumicino Airport, Rome on July 2 at 10 a.m. and return to the Italian capital on July 4 at 10:15 p.m.

During his first apostolic trip to Armenia he will visit the cities of Yerevan, Etchmiadzin, Khor Virab, Ashotsk and Gyumri.

Among other things, the Pope will make a courtesy visit to the president of the republic, pray at the monument to the Armenian genocide and participate in an ecumenical encounter in the apostolic cathedral of Etchmiadzin. Furthermore, he will celebrate Mass in the Armenian rite on the esplanade of the "Redemptoris Mater" Hospital of Ashotsk.

Before saying farewell to His Holiness Catholicos Karekin I of all Armenians, the Holy Father will hold an ecumenical prayer service in memory of the victims of the 1988 earthquake, in the apostolic cathedral of the Holy Virgin of the Seven Wounds (Yota Verk) of Gyumri.

Also made public today was the itinerary for the Pope's pastoral visit to Ancona, Italy on Sunday, May 30. The Holy Father will celebrate Mass at 10 a.m. in Conero Stadium, where he will also recite the angelus. In the afternoon he is scheduled to have a meeting with the clergy, religious and representatives of the laity involved in diocesan pastoral ministries. Before returning to the Vatican by helicopter, he will greet the patients at the city's regional hospital.

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