EUCHARIST TO BE THEME OF 11TH ORDINARY SYNOD IN OCTOBER 2005

VATICAN CITY, FEB 12, 2004 (VIS) - The Holy Father has announced that the Eleventh Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops will take place in the Vatican from October 2 to 29, 2005 on the theme. "The Eucharist: Source and Summit of the Life and Mission of the Church."
./2005 SYNOD: EUCHARIST/. VIS 20040212 (60)

SAFEGUARD INALIENABLE RIGHTS AND DIGNITY OF HUMAN PERSON

VATICAN CITY, FEB 12, 2004 (VIS) - John Paul II today received Kamal Kharrazi, foreign minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, along with an entourage. "Your presence here," said the Pope in English, "is a sign of the cooperation that, for more than fifty years now, has marked the official relations between the Holy See and your country. I am confident that this spirit of collaboration will continue to grow ever stronger as we address issues of mutual concern to us."

"Not least in this regard," added the Holy Father, "is the ongoing commitment to safeguard the inalienable rights and dignity of the human person, especially in efforts aimed at promoting greater understanding among peoples of different religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Mr. Minister, I assure you of my good wishes for your stay in Rome and I invoke upon you the blessings of Almighty God."

The last Iranian government official to be welcomed to the Vatican by Pope John Paul was Iranian President Seyyed Mohammad Khatami on March 11, 1999.
AC/FOREIGN MINISTER IRAN/KHARRAZI VIS 20040212 (190

HOLY LAND NEEDS FORGIVENESS NOT REVENGE, BRIDGES NOT WALLS

VATICAN CITY, FEB 12, 2004 (VIS) - Ahmed Qurei, prime minister of the Palestinian National Authority, was welcomed this morning by Pope John Paul on his first ever visit to the Vatican. The Pope told him that his "presence brings back vivid memories of my pilgrimage to the Holy Land, during which I prayed fervently for peace and justice in the region."

He went on to say, in brief remarks in English, that "while signs of hope have not been altogether absent, unfortunately the sad situation in the Holy Land is a cause of suffering for all. No one must yield to the temptation of discouragement, let alone to hatred or retaliation. It is reconciliation that the Holy Land needs: forgiveness not revenge, bridges not walls. This demands that all leaders of the region follow, with the help of the international community, the path of dialogue and negotiation which leads to lasting peace. Upon you and your people I cordially invoke an abundance of divine blessings."

Ahmed Qurei was named to his post on September 7, 2003. He is the second prime minister of the Palestinian Authority since April 2003.
AC/PRIME MINISTER PALESTINA/QUREI VIS 20040212 (200)

AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, FEB 12, 2004 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Two prelates from the French Episcopal Conference on their "ad limina" visit

- Bishop Georges Pontier of La Rochelle.

- Bishop Christophe Dufour of Limoges.

- Msgr. Vito Rallo, special envoy and permanent observer to the Council of Europe.

- Cardinal Stephen Fumio Hamao, president of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, accompanied by Archbishop Agostino Marchetto and Fr. Michael A. Blume, S.V.D., respectively secretary and undersecretary of the same pontifical council.
AL:AP/./. VIS 20040212 (100)

CARDINAL OPILIO ROSSI DIES AT AGE 93

VATICAN CITY, FEB 10,. 2004 (VIS) - Upon the death yesterday in Rome at the age of 93 of Cardinal Opilio Rossi, president emeritus of the Cardinals' Commission for the Pontifical Shrines of Pompeii, Loreto and Bari, the Holy Father sent the following telegram to Mrs. Giovanni Belli, a relative of the cardinal's. A similar telegram was sent to Bishop Luciano Monari of Piacenza-Bobbio.

"Upon learning of the sad news of the death of your beloved relative, Cardinal Opilio Rossi, I would like to express heartfelt condolences to you and the family members and to all who knew and loved the late cardinal, a faithful collaborator of the Holy See for so many years and, in particular, apostolic nuncio and president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity. I offer fervent prayers to God, Father of Mercy, so that He embrace this zealous servant of the Gospel, granting him the eternal prize promised to the just and I impart the apostolic blessing upon you and all those who are in mourning."

The cardinal's funeral will be celebrated on Friday, February 13 at 11 a.m. in the Vatican Basilica at the Altar of Confession. The liturgy will be presided by the Holy Father who will give the homily and the rite of the "Ultima Commendatio" and the "Valedictio." Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, dean of the College of Cardinals, will concelebrate the Mass with other cardinals.
TGR/DEATH/ROSSI VIS 20040210 (220)