MAY THE SEMINARY BE "A SCHOOL OF APOSTLES"

VATICAN CITY, JAN 16, 1999 (VIS) - The Pope today received in audience the community of the Pontifical Seminary of the Italian region of Puglia on the occasion of the 90th anniversary celebrations of the founding of the seminary.

From this anniversary, John Paul II said, "two particularly significant indications emerge: the opportunity, above all, to ... institute a philosophical and theological educational structure in Puglia. This has helped entire generations of young people to deepen the relationship, which is problematic and yet unavoidable, between faith and reason. Collaboration between faith and reason has given rise to great projects and their very separation has led to great tragedies."

The second indication, he said, is linked to the lives of two pontiffs: "St. Pius X founded the seminary and established the headquarters in Lecce. Pius XI increased its numbers immediately and transferred it to Molfetta. ... Their witness is an invitation to doctrinal steadfastness and at the same time is a courageous level of openness. Moreover, it is an stimulus for holiness of life and for apostolic audacity faced with the circumstances of the today's world."

The Holy Father ended by expressing the hope that the seminary "be 'a school of apostles'; ... apostles ready to serve the people of God with all their energy. May your seminary train priests who will be sure guides for the faithful, in the footsteps of Jesus, the Good Shepherd."

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POPE WELCOMES OFFICIALS OF ITALY'S LAZIO REGION

VATICAN CITY, JAN 16, 1999 (VIS) - Members of the Junta and Council of the region of Lazio were welcomed by the Holy Father this morning during what has become an annual meeting for the exchange of best wishes in the New Year.

The Pope told them that their region, "with it meritorious institutions, its singular human and Christian patrimony, the lights and shadows of daily realities, will shortly be called ... to face an extraordinary event, the Great Jubilee of the year 2000." Calling the Jubilee "a spiritual event which primarily concerns the lives of believers," he stated that "Christ's birth, however, had relevance for all of mankind. ... The Jubilee will thus go beyond Church confines, involving in some way even society and civil institutions."

"Biblical tradition," John Paul II went on, "presents the Jubilee as a time of the reestablishment of justice between God and men. This is an aspect of a Jubilee to which public administrators cannot remain insensitive. It is up to them to see to the realization of the citizens' hopes for justice and solidarity."

In closing remarks, the Pope highlighted the obligations of public servants, in particular in the "search for a peace which is born of the refusal of privileges, and of respect of the rights of everyone, above all of the weak and marginalized."

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GROW IN UNITY WITH CHRISTIANS AND NON-CHRISTIANS

VATICAN CITY, JAN 17, 1999 (VIS) - John Paul II this morning celebrated Mass in the Roman parish of St. Liborio. In his homily he called on the faithful to walk united "in the spiritual and ecclesial itinerary towards the third Christian millennium. Walk full of trust and missionary zeal, following (in the footsteps of) St. Liborio and your patron saints."

The Pope expressed his joy at being able to inaugurate a parish initiative which counts on the aid of the diocesan branch of Caritas, so as "to put the precious professional ability at the service of the most needy." He added: "Continue planning and carrying out other charitable activities, fearlessly proclaiming the Gospel."

"Dedicate yourselves with all your energy to the Citizens' Mission which this year, continuing and incorporating itself in the commitment to families, is oriented towards the workplace and professional activity," said the Holy Father. "Open to dialogue, be prepared to see all opportunities to grow in fraternity with Christians and non-Christians, with believers from other religions and non-believers."

After Mass, meeting children from the parish, John Paul II asked them if they knew how old he would be in the year 2000. When one of the children had guessed it, the Pope answered: "It's true, the Pope was born in 1920, and God willing, he will be 80 in the year 2000. I give thanks to God for all the graces which he has given us in life: for short lives and for those which are longer, like those which last 80 years. I would ask you to pray for me, because an elderly man has more need of the help of young people."

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NATIONAL CONGRESS IN MANILA ON GOD THE FATHER

VATICAN CITY, JAN 16, 1999 (VIS) - Made public today was a letter from the Holy Father to Cardinal Jose T. Sanchez, prefect emeritus of the Congregation for Clergy, appointing him as his special envoy at the National Congress on God the Father, set for Manila, the Philippines, January 20-23. The letter is written in Latin and dated November 20, 1998.

The Pontifical Mission which will accompany the cardinal is made up of Msgrs. Jaime Mora and Ruperto Santos, and Francisco Alba, all three from the archdiocese of Manila.

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THE POOR SHOULD BE THE FOCAL POINT OF POLITICAL ACTION

VATICAN CITY, JAN 18, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father this morning told members of Rome's Junta and Provincial Council they they were called to work so that both those who live in this province and those who are in contact with it "might look with hope at the present and the future."

The Pope offered some reflections "which may help your administrative and political work." To take on the overseeing of society, he said, "coordinated and efficient intervention is necessary, particularly to benefit those who live in difficult situations."

Having mentioned the "tragedy of old and new forms of poverty," John Paul II said that public structures must be marked by their concern for "those less fortunate brothers and sisters. ... Moreover, the so-called 'least' run the risk of being forgotten, becoming a greater extension of an opulent society, instead of being the focal point of decisions and general orientations. However, a network of initiatives is necessary which, thanks also to volunteer work, might have the aim of reinstating, favoring and integrating people and groups (into society)."

Regarding young people, the Pope highlighted that "they should be one of the priorities for political action. Young generations, sometimes even without being aware of it, ask for culture, ideals and authentic spirituality, as an antidote to that void in values by which they feel threatened. Families, schools, dioceses and parishes are called ... to pool their resources so as to offer youth a society and a future of hope."

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