IN MEMORIAM

VATICAN CITY, APR 4, 2000 (VIS) - The following prelates died in recent weeks:

- Cardinal Antony Padiyara, major archbishop emeritus of Ernakulam-Angamaly of the Syro-Malabars on March 23, at the age of 79.
- Bishop Francois Abraha, emeritus of Asmara, Eritrea, on March 26, at the age of 81.
- Archbishop Alfredo Bruniera, apostolic nuncio and former vice-president of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum", on March 26, at the age of 93.
- Archbishop James William Gleeson, emeritus of Adelaide, Australia, on March 21, at the age 79.
- Bishop Achille Palmerini, emeritus of Isemia-Veneto, on March 22, at the age of 93.
- Archbishop Remigio Ragonesi, vice-gerent emeritus of Rome, on March 22, at the age of 79.

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POPE WELCOMES 6,000 PILGRIMS FROM CZECH REPUBLIC

VATICAN CITY, APR 1, 2000 (VIS) - This morning in the Paul VI Hall, the Holy Father welcomed 6,000 faithful from the Czech Republic who are in Rome on their national Holy Year pilgrimage. He spoke to them of Lent, the meaning of the Jubilee and the changes that society in their country has undergone in recent years. Before the Pope's appearance, Mass had been celebrated for the Czech faithful in the hall.

"The Lenten season which we are now living," he said, "is a pressing invitation to conversion. Only a heart which is aware of needing a deeper and more intimate union with God is ready to cross the threshold of the Holy Door; only the person who truly undergoes conversion can be a faithful and credible witness in the world of the new life in Christ. This is the true meaning of the Holy Year."

The Holy Father underscored the Czech pilgrims' "witness to that unity and love which are the signs of a true Christian. I urge you to continue to live that solidarity."

He then turned to their country, saying that "your society is finally enjoying a time of democracy and freedom. However, a progressive secularization and a widespread moral relativism call on your Christian community (to act). You justly believe that the current situation calls for a consistent effort in the sphere of catechesis at all levels: children, youth, families, schools, the media, the workplace and culture."

The Pope encouraged parents "to know how to help your children discern values," and he urged young people "not to let yourselves be taken in by false myths and mirages. Don't give in to the illusion of easy success... A united family is certainly a guarantee for building a responsible society."

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JOHN PAUL II EXPRESSES JOY FOR HIS VISIT TO THE HOLY LAND

VATICAN CITY, APR 2, 2000 (VIS) - Prior to praying the angelus at midday today, the Pope reminded the 50,000 pilgrims who filled St. Peter's Square that this Sunday, known as 'de laetare,' is an invitation to happiness.

"Over the past days," said the Pope, "I too have experienced the joy of being a pilgrim from Rome to the Holy Land, thus building a bridge between the two focal points of the Great Jubilee 2000: Rome and Jerusalem. The spiritual joy I carry in my heart as a result of this grace is truly deep and something for which I continually thank the Lord. I am also grateful to all those who have accompanied me in prayer. In those moments, in those places, I felt that the whole Church was present with me."

John Paul II confirmed that "this joy, of which the liturgy for this fourth Sunday of Lent speaks, derives from knowledge of the mystery of love that faces us, and that today echoes in the words of the Gospel according to John: 'For God so loved the world that he gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.' How can we not feel drawn by this love? God does not want the sinner to die, rather to convert and to live."
Following the angelus, the Pope greeted many of the pilgrims present, especially a group of faithful from the Czech Republic. He said: "I am happy to see, for the first time in many decades, thousands of faithful from the land of the Czechs, led by their bishops. ... I thank you for your presence and hope you return to your homes enriched in faith and Christian hope. I give you my heartfelt blessing."

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STUDENTS LEAD TORCHLIGHT PROCESSION, PRAY ROSARY WITH POPE

VATICAN CITY, APR 1, 2000 (VIS) - Tens of thousands of university students in St. Peter's Square in Rome and at Marian shrines in Washington, D.C., Manila, Brazil, Fatima and Czestochowa were linked through satellite television this evening as the students in Rome led a torchlight procession to the square where, at 7 p.m., Rome time, everyone prayed the rosary with Pope John Paul II.

The ceremony in Washington, where about 10,000 young people participated, was presided over by Cardinal James Hickey, archbishop of Washington. A university student reflected on charity. Archbishop Rolando Tirona of Bulacan, the Philippines, presided in Manila where 4,000 students gathered to listen to a reflection on martyrdom.

Cardinal Aloisio Lorscheider, archbishop of Aparecida, led the celebrations at the shrine of Our Lady of the Apparition in Brazil, in the presence of 20,000 students, one of whom mediated on pilgrimages. In Fatima, Portugal, 500 students, one of whom reflected on the Holy Door, were led by Bishop Tomas Barbosa Da Silva Nunes, secretary of the Portuguese Episcopal Conference. An estimated 1,500 students gathered at the Polish shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in a ceremony presided over by Bishops Stanislao Nowak of Czestochowa and Henryk Tomasik, responsible for the pastoral care of university students in Poland.

After praying the rosary, the Holy Father greeted those gathered in St. Peter's Square and in the cities linked with Rome, speaking briefly to each group in their own language.

"I greet all of you who are taking part in this evocative celebration," he said, "as well as the recitation of the rosary on this First Saturday of April. You are very numerous and I thank you for your presence. Our prayer has been led by the theme 'Christ, Redeemer of Mankind'. This is an important theme which orients our reflection on the theme chosen for the Jubilee for university students, which will take place this year."

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35,000 ITALIANS CELEBRATE JUBILEE WITH HOLY FATHER

VATICAN CITY, APR 1, 2000 (VIS) - Following a Mass this morning in St. Peter's Square for 35,000 Italian faithful who came to Rome to celebrate the Jubilee Year 2000, Pope John Paul came to the square to greet them. Among those present were pilgrims from five dioceses, prelates and officials from the Apostolic Penitentiary and the priest confessors of Rome's patriarchal basilicas, members of the Italian Association of the Perpetual Rosary, led by Dominican Fathers, and pilgrims "In Service to Divine Mercy."

He had special words for each of the eight groups, highlighting in particular the meaning and importance of the Holy Year and of crossing the threshold of the Holy Door. He underlined the Jubilee's call to Christians to conversion, to "a renewed fidelity to Christ, our Redeemer," and to confirm their commitment to the new evangelization. John Paul II affirmed that the Jubilee "is also a propitious occasion to reinforce ecclesial communion."
The Pope then remarked how "the Cross of young people is travelling throughout Italy's dioceses in this time of preparation for World Youth Day." He urged young people to "not be subject to fear. Contemplating the Cross, ... go forth in the new millennium offering everyone an efficacious witness of charity, pardon and mercy!"

Addressing the priests confessors of Rome's basilicas, the Pope stated that "Penance is such a precious mystery, which demands clarity of doctrine and pastoral mercy, adequate preparation and constant availability."

To the members of the Italian sodality of the Perpetual Rosary, the Holy Father said: "Recite the holy rosary and spread its practice in the milieux that you frequent. It is a prayer which introduces one to the school of the living Gospel, educates to piety, makes one persevere in good, prepares people for life and, above all, makes one very dear to Mary."

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