CHRIST IS THE LIGHT THAT CAN CHANGE THE HUMAN HEART

VATICAN CITY, DEC 18, 1999 (VIS) - This morning, John Paul II received a group of pilgrims from the Czech Republic, led by President Vaclav Havel. It is his government that this year has donated the Christmas tree that adorns St. Peter's Square.

Apart from the fir tree, that comes from the mountain of Beskydy in the region of Ostrava-Opava, "you have wished to offer other smaller fir trees," said the Holy Father, "which will be placed in various places in the Apostolic Palace and the Curia. ... Furthermore, you have brought three statues, dressed in the traditional costume of Valassko, which have been placed next to those customarily used in the nativity scene in St. Peter's Square.

"The Christmas tree together with the nativity scene creates the typical Christmas atmosphere and can help us to better understand the message of salvation that Christ brought to us with His incarnation. From the manger in Bethlehem to the Cross of Golgotha, He gave witness with His whole life to God's love for man. He is, in the words of John the Evangelist, 'the true light that enlightens every man'."

The Pope concluded: "As a symbol of this light, the lights on the tree shine at Christmas to reinforce our awareness of the great mystery: Present in Christ is the light that can change the heart of man."

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PAPAL TELEGRAM FOR FLOODS IN VENEZUELA

VATICAN CITY, DEC 18, 1999 (VIS) - Given below is the text of a telegram sent, in the Pope's name, by Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano to Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, apostolic nuncio in Venezuela, for the floods that have recently devastated that country:
"The Holy Father John Paul II, profoundly grieved upon hearing of the sad news of the floods and mudslides caused by torrential rain, that have provoked a great number of victims, injured and serious material damage, offers his prayers for the eternal repose of the deceased. He also entreats the Lord to grant consolation to those affected by the tragedy and to inspire in everyone sentiments of solidarity, with the aim of assisting the injured and the afflicted and of overcoming the calamity. Furthermore, His Holiness expresses his sincere condolences to the families of the deceased and his closeness to those who have lost relatives, home and goods. At the same time he encourages public bodies, institutions and men and women of good will to contribute, with a generous spirit and in Christian charity, effective aid in these difficult moments of great suffering. Moreover, he imparts a heartfelt and comforting apostolic blessing upon the beloved people of Venezuela."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, DEC 18, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the archdiocese of Guayaquil, Ecuador, presented by Auxiliary Bishop Jose Gabriel Diaz Cueva, in accordance with canons 411 and 401, para. 2 of the Code of Canon Law.

- Appointed Msgr. Alberto Bottari de Castello of the diocese of Treviso, Italy, presently rector of the John XXIII minor seminary in the diocese of Ebolowa-Kribi, Cameroon, as apostolic nuncio in Gambia, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, at the same time elevating him to the dignity of archbishop. The archbishop-elect was born in Montebelluna, Italy, in 1942 and ordained a priest in 1966.

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FUNERAL MASS FOR CARDINAL PAOLO DEZZA

VATICAN CITY, DEC 18, 1999 (VIS) - On Monday, December 20, at 5:30 p.m. in St. Peter's Basilica, Pope John Paul will preside at the concelebrated funeral Mass for Cardinal Paolo Dezza, S.J. who died yesterday. Cardinal Dezza had just celebrated his 98th birthday on December 13.

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POPE EXPRESSES HIS CLOSENESS TO PEOPLE OF VENEZUELA

VATICAN CITY, DEC 19, 1999 (VIS) - At midday today, after praying the angelus with the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square, the Pope asked that generosity be shown towards the citizens of Venezuela who are suffering the consequences of torrential rains:

"I am following with grief the news that arrives from Venezuela, where the numbers of dead, missing and displaced, victims of torrential rains that have also caused great material damage, continues to grow. I reaffirm my closeness to the beloved people of Venezuela, and at the same time call upon institutions and people of good will to generously contribute in order to alleviate the suffering and repair the tragic consequences of this huge natural disaster. May the Virgin of Coromoto intercede on behalf of this people that honor her as Mother and Patroness.

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