AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, FEB 28, 2004 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- His Beatitude Cardinal Ignace Moussa I Daoud, prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches.

- Archbishop Bruno Musaro, apostolic nuncio in Guatemala.

- Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregations for Bishops.
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HOLY FATHER RESUMES TRADITION OF VISITING ROMAN PARISHES

VATICAN CITY, FEB 28, 2004 (VIS) - This afternoon the Holy Father celebrated Mass in the Paul VI Hall for the faithful of the Roman parishes of St. Anselm, St. Charles Borromeo, St. John the Baptist de la Salle and St. Mary, Star of Evangelization.

Commenting on the Gospel of the first Sunday in Lent which narrates Jesus' temptations in the desert, the Pope said: "we look at Christ who fasts and fights against the devil. . We too, like Christ, are called to a decisive and hard fight against the devil. Only in this way, with renewed adhesion to the will of God, can we stay faithful to our Christian vocation: to be heralds and witnesses of the Gospel."

After expressing his joy at being able "to continue the beautiful tradition of parish visits, although in a different way," he affirmed: "These encounters allow me to show the affection that unites me more intensely to you, dear faithful of the diocese of Rome. Never forget it: you are always close to my heart! You are the part of the Christian population entrusted to my pastoral care in a special way."

John Paul II asked the parishioners to "welcome families in a cordial and open way" and to include parents "in the preparation of children and young people in the sacraments and Christian life. Taking into account the schedule and demands of family life, organize gatherings of spirituality and formation. . Keep in mind that the first place for the Christian education of children is precisely in the family. Be close to families experiencing difficulty or in precarious situations, helping them to understand how to carry out the authentic design of God in marriage and the family."

"I know that at the moment you have temporary structures for liturgical life and pastoral service. I hope that as soon as possible you will be able to enjoy proper facilities. In the mean time, however, try to make your parishes authentic spiritual structures that rest on the corner stone which is Christ!"
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POPE ENCOURAGES DIPLOMACY, HUMANITARIAN AID FOR HAITI

VATICAN CITY, FEB 29, 2004 (VIS) - After praying the Angelus with the pilgrims assembled in St. Peter's Square this morning, Pope John Paul remarked on "the worrisome and painful news that is coming to us from Haiti. In the face of such a situation I feel the duty to invite all Haitians to have the courage and humility to make those decisions that are necessary for the good of the country.

"While I encourage the diplomatic work of the international community and I ask for a generous commitment on the part of humanitarian organizations, I send a special blessing for the beloved Haitian people."
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JOHN PAUL II ASKS FOR PRAYERS AT START OF ANNUAL RETREAT

VATICAN CITY, FEB 29, 2004 (VIS) - In reflections that traditionally precede the Sunday Angelus prayer with the faithful in St. Peter's Square, the Holy Father spoke of today's Gospel on the temptations of Jesus, of his Lenten Message centered on children and of the spiritual exercises that he and other members of the Roman Curia will start this evening.

The Pope said that in the Gospel of this first Sunday of Lent, Christ, "sustained by the Holy Spirit, withdrew to the desert where he remained for forty days. The Gospel account tells us of the three well-known temptations which are an echo of the old deception that Satan used to make our ancestors fall. But Christ, the new Adam, overcame them, rejecting decisively His tempter: 'It has been said; You shall not tempt the Lord your God'. Jesus' victory over evil assures us that we will not yield at the moment of trial if we remain united to the Spirit."

The Holy Father then spoke of his Message for Lent 2004 "in which I wished to recall, in a special way, children, who are often the innocent victims of man's evil deeds." Noting that children were special for Christ, he said: "May this time of the liturgical year be transformed into a generous match of solidarity towards these little ones, especially those in the most grave danger and difficulties."

"Dear brothers and sisters, "said the Pope in conclusion, "I ask you to pray for this intention. I also ask you to accompany me spiritually in the retreat that will start, as they do every year, this evening" in the Vatican.
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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, FEB 28, 2004 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Lebanon-Honda, Colombia, presented by Bishop Rafael Arcadio Bernal Supelano, C.SS.R., in accordance with Canon 401, para. 2, of the Code of Canon Law.

- Accepted the resignation from the office of auxiliary presented by Bishop Riccardo Ruotolo of the archdiocese of Manfredonia-Vieste-San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy upon having reached the age limit.

- Appointed Fr. Pietro Coccia, director of the Institute of Religious Sciences in the diocese of Ascoli Piceno, Italy, as metropolitan archbishop of Pesaro (area 287, population 119,890, Catholics 117,200, priests 107, permanent deacons 8, religious 145), Italy. The bishop-elect was born in 1945 in Ascoli Piceno and was ordained a priest in 1972.

- Appointed Archbishop Michael Miller, secretary of the Congregation for Catholic Education, as consultant of the Congregation of Bishops.
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