POPE WELCOMES PATRIARCH OF GREEK-MELKITE CATHOLICS

VATICAN CITY, FEB 12, 2001 (VIS) - John Paul II this morning welcomed His Beatitude Gregory III, patriarch of Antioch of the Greek-Melkite Catholics, "who has come to celebrate our full ecclesial union." Joining the patriarch was a pilgrimage group of nearly 700 persons, including bishops, priests, religious and lay faithful.

"Union with the See of Rome," said the Pope, speaking French, "does not lessen your specificity or the treasures that are yours, but rather it strengthens them and makes of them a precious gift which enriches all of the Catholic world. The Pope appreciates your attachment and your fidelity to the traditions of the Christian Orient."

"You are a strong Church," he went on, "coherent and rooted in your identity: take care to pursue your pastoral commitment, making use of ancient treasures and giving suitable answers to the questions posed by man today." The Holy Father also expressed appreciation for their ecumenical commitment, encouraging them to "actively seek unity, with a prudent courage, in union with the entire Catholic Church, so that the time of full communion will rapidly arrive."

Addressing His Beatitude Gregory III, the Pope expressed his "fraternal best wishes" and said: "May you be a model for the people entrusted to you, following the example of the Good Shepherd."

"In the tormented context of the Middle East," he declared, "be at the same time an ardent defender of the weak and a tireless artisan of peace. Always keep a special place in your heart for your children of the diaspora. ... Go to everyone, not with the power and wealth of men, but only with the defenseless love of the poverty of Christ who, though rich, became poor to enrich all men."

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HOLY FATHER, GREEK-MELKITE PATRIARCH CONCELEBRATE MASS

VATICAN CITY, FEB 12, 2001 (VIS) - Today Pope John Paul and His Beatitude Gregory III, patriarch of Greek-Melkite Catholics, concelebrated Mass, accompanied by bishops and priests of the patriarchate.

He welcomed Gregory III, "new patriarch of the Greek-Melkite Church who, in communion with the Bishop of Rome, brings the spiritual riches of the people whom the Lord has entrusted to you, thus showing the catholicity of the Church."

"My thoughts go to the communities of your patriarchate," the Holy Father said, "asking the Lord to accompany them in their spiritual life and in the witness of faith and hope that they have to give to the entire population. ... May they remain intimately linked to Christ to obtain from Him the strength of faith, the courage of hope and audacity in announcing the Gospel!"

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, FEB 12, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father received today in separate audiences:

- His Beatitude Gregory III, patriarch of Antioch of the Greek-Melkites, Syria.
- Three prelates of the Episcopal Conference of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, on the occasion of their "ad limina" visit:
- Archbishop Franc Perko of Belgrade, with Coadjutor Archbishop Stanislav Hocevar.
- Archbishop Zef Gashi of Bar.
- Cardinal Jan Pieter Schotte, C.I.C.M., secretary general of the Synod of Bishops.

On Saturday, February 10, the Holy Father received in separate audiences:

- Archbishop Agostino Cacciavillan, president of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See, accompanied by his colleagues.
- Archbishop Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

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PUBLICATION OF POPE'S MESSAGE FOR LENT 2001

VATICAN CITY, FEB 9, 2001 (VIS) - Made public today was John Paul II's Message for Lent 2001, the theme of which is "Love is not resentful." Selections from the text, dated January 7, 2001, and published in Italian, English, French, Spanish, and German, are given below:

"'Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem'. With these words, the Lord invites the disciples to journey with him along the road that leads from Galilee to the place where he will complete his redemptive mission. ... Also to the men and women of today are asked by Christ to 'go up to Jerusalem'. He insists on this, particularly in Lent, a propitious time for self-conversion and for finding full communion with Him, intimately taking part in the mystery of his death and resurrection. Lent, therefore, represents for believers the opportune occasion for a profound re-examination of life."

"How is one to accept the invitation to conversion that Jesus addresses to us also in this Lenten Season? How can a serious change in life come to be realised? It is necessary first of all to open the heart to the touching messages of the liturgy. The period that leads to Easter represents a providential gift of the Lord and a precious opportunity to draw closer to him, turning inward and listening to his voice within us.
"Some Christians think they are able to do without such a constant spiritual effort because they do not heed the urgency of confronting themselves with the truth of the Gospel. So as not to disturb their way of living, they attempt to empty and make innocuous words such as: 'Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you'. ... In fact, they are words that, if taken seriously, demand a radical conversion. ... Daily human events clearly evidence how much forgiveness and reconciliation are undeniably needed for bringing about a real personal and social renewal. This is valid in interpersonal relations but also among communities as well as nations.

"The numerous and tragic conflicts which tear at humanity, sometimes also arising from misunderstood religious motives, have left marks of hatred and violence among peoples. Occasionally, this occurs also among groups and factions within a nation itself. In fact, with a sad sense of helplessness, we assist at times to the return of skirmishes, which were believed definitively settled. This gives the impression that some people are involved in a spiral of unstoppable violence that will continue to reap victims upon victims, without a concrete solution envisioned."

"In the face of this alarming scenario, Christians cannot remain indifferent. It is for this reason that, in the Jubilee Year just concluded I spoke out asking God's pardon for the Church and for the sins of Her children. We are well aware that the guilt of Christians somewhat darkened the spotless face. However, trusting in the God's merciful love, which does not take into account evil in the face of repentance, we are also able to continually return with confidence to the path. ... In this perspective, the 'purification of the memory' is above all the renewed confession of Divine mercy, a confession that the Church, at the various levels, is called each time to acknowledge as Her own with renewed conviction.

"The only way to peace is forgiveness. ... For nations in search of reconciliation and for those hoping for peaceful coexistence among individuals and peoples, there is no other way than forgiveness received and offered."

"This is a challenge that concerns individuals but also communities, peoples and all humanity. It concerns families in a special way. It is not easy to convert one's self to forgiveness and reconciliation. To reconcile can already seem problematic when at the origin there is self-guilt. If then the other is guilty, to reconcile one's self can be seen even as an unreasonable humiliation. To take this path, it is necessary to experience interior conversion; the courage of humble obedience to the command of Jesus is necessary. His word leaves no doubt: not only the one who provokes the estranged, but also the one who suffers must find reconciliation."

"In our times, forgiveness appears more and more as a necessary dimension for an authentic social renewal and for the strengthening of peace in the world. The Church, announcing forgiveness and love of enemies, is conscious to inspire in the spiritual patrimony of all humanity a new way of relating to each other; a somewhat difficult way but rich in hope."

"May this time of penance and reconciliation encourage believers to think and act in the sign of authentic charity, open to all the human dimensions. ... In the holy days of Lent the 'offering' assumes a deeper meaning, because it is not just giving something from the surplus to relieve one's conscience, but to truly take upon one's self the misery present in the world. ... The Lenten offering brings about an added richness of meaning if the one making the offering is freed from resentment and indifference, obstacles which keep us far from communion with God and with our brothers and sisters.

"The world expects from Christians a consistent witness of communion and solidarity. ... Saint John Chrysostom, commenting on the teaching of Our Lord on the way to Jerusalem, recalls that Christ does not leave the disciples ignorant of the struggles and sacrifices that awaited them. He underscores that to renounce the 'I' is difficult. However it is not impossible when one is able to count on the help of God granted us 'through the communion with the person of Christ'."

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PRESS CONFERENCE: PRESENTATION OF LENTEN MESSAGE

VATICAN CITY, FEB 9, 2001 (VIS) - This morning in the Holy See Press Office, Archbishop Paul Cordes, president of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum," presented John Paul II's Message for Lent 2001.
During his presentation, referring to the message's theme "Love is not resentful," the prelate affirmed that "The reconciliation with one's neighbor which God gives is expressed in good actions."

"This gift, which is necessary for survival, received just when necessary, reawakens new hope and faith in the future. Our press conference has therefore, beyond the presentation of the Holy Father's words, a second emphasis."

The Archbishop went on to mention the gift offered by the Municipality of Milan to the Pope: a thousand million lire for Africa which the Holy Father entrusted to the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum." With this sum "Cor Unum" intends to carry out a project of assistance to children orphaned by AIDS in Uganda.

"The Holy Father," Archbishop Cordes said, "has made himself the voice of the victims of this terrible disease." Following the directives given in the Apostolic Exhortation "Ecclesia in Africa," "the Catholic Church commits herself in the area in different ways. ... In particular, beyond health care, it is important to work to overcome the discrimination and fears associated with the sickness, which marginalize the victims. I repeat that a global approach to the problem, which does not stop at simple therapy or prevention, is important for the Church. ... Education, relations with the community, and the responsible undertaking of married and family life, become therefore essential."

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