JOHN PAUL II OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES SPRING MARATHON

VATICAN CITY, MAY 27, 2000 (VIS) - At 10 this morning Pope John Paul appeared at his study window to greet those gathered below in St. Peter's Square who are participating in the Spring Marathon. He spoke briefly and then officially started the 20th edition of this race which celebrates Catholic schools in the Lazio region of Italy and which, on the occasion of the Jubilee Year, includes state-run schools as well.

"As you run through the streets of Rome," he told the participants, "bring a message of hope: be witnesses that it is possible to build a future of peace and justice, rejecting every form of exploitation and oppression." He added that schools should be places "of formation to face the emerging challenges of our times."

For students, the school years "are a precious cultural opportunity to fully use to your advantage." For teachers, they "are an occasion to transmit not only ideas and scientific data, but also to communicate an authentic experience of life." For families, these "are important years to guide your children."

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ARCHBISHOP TAURAN MEETS VIETNAMESE FOREIGN MINISTER

VATICAN CITY, MAY 27, 2000 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls made the following declaration: "This morning a meeting took place in the Vatican between Nguyen Dy Nien, foreign minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, secretary for Relations with States. During the friendly encounter, questions of interest to both parties were discussed."

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HOLY FATHER WELCOMES MISSIONARIES OF ST. FRANCIS DE SALES

VATICAN CITY, MAY 27, 2000 (VIS) - The Pope this morning welcomed the missionaries of St. Francis de Sales, who are in Rome to celebrate their congregation's General Chapter. In a Message he consigned to the order, he recalls that it was founded in France in 1838 by Fr. Pierre-Marie Mermier, who "was prompted by the spiritual needs of French society in his own time."

"Following the upheavals of the early years of the 19th century," he writes, "the consequent decline of religious knowledge and practice called for a determined missionary approach to rouse people from their apathy and urge them to be converted. Inspired by St. Frances di Sales' simplicity, benevolence and confidence," Fr. Mermier committed the first priests to "work in the spirit of the saintly bishop of Geneva."

Noting that the congregation today "is present in many parts of the world, and continues to grow and make progress," John Paul II underlined how "today, more than ever, people need to hear the message of salvation ... and to welcome into their lives the mercy of God Who makes us His adopted children and heals the wounds of our hearts. All Christ's disciples should have a deep sense of the need to pass on to others the light and joy of the faith.

The Message urges the missionaries "to be attentive to the new challenges of our times," to be "committed to an intense life of prayer" and to "trust in God's Providence. ... In the field of education you must bear radical witness to the values of the Gospel, and instruct young people in the ways of unselfish commitment and holiness. ... In serving the poor, you must be simple and austere in your way of life, and you must love them in a dedicated and self-giving way, as Christ did."

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AUDIENCE WITH ITALIAN AND UKRAINIAN PILGRIMS

VATICAN CITY, MAY 27, 2000 (VIS) - In St. Peter's Square at midday today, the Pope received 10,000 pilgrims from the Italian diocese of Pozzuoli and from various Italian parishes, as well as a group from the Ukrainian armed forces.

The Holy Father told the faithful from Pozzuoli that "a sense of hospitality, a willingness to seriously face the Gospel and thoughtful cordiality in attending to those in need, are all values that are part of your heritage and that you must also cultivate as an essential element of your union with Christ."

"Faithful to the Gospel, your people have, in these last two millennia, conserved their faith and their bond of communion with the head of the apostolic college. Nothing has ever weakened this faithfulness, neither difficulty nor suffering, neither obstacles nor the natural disasters - volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, seismic activity - that have affected your land."

Referring to evangelization, John Paul II indicated that, in order for the announcement of Christ to have a profound impact, "all apostolic initiatives must be accompanied by unceasing human promotion" and by prayer.

Then, turning to a group of parishioners, the Pope emphasized his desire that "the providential period of the Holy Year be a strong call to render yourselves instruments of the grace of the Lord, Who brings salvation and renewal to those who are humble of spirit and open to truth."

Speaking Ukrainian to members of the armed forces of the Ukraine, who have come to Rome for the occasion of their Jubilee, he said: "Your Jubilee itinerary, which began at the foot of the grotto of Lourdes, today brings you to the tombs of the Apostles. Dear friends, from this reflective and prayerful pause draw the strength and courage to remain faithful to the Gospel and, in Christ's name, become true servants of justice and peace."

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DIOCESE OF ROME AND JUBILEE PILGRIMS ENTRUSTED TO MARY

VATICAN CITY, MAY 28, 2000 (VIS) - Before praying the Regina Coeli with the tens of thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square for the Jubilee of the diocese of Rome, the Pope entrusted the fruits of this Jubilee to Mary, asking that "all who live in Rome might preserve a strong faith and sincere love for Jesus, the only Savior of the world."

He also asked Mary's aid for the forthcoming events: the Jubilee of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples from June 1-3, the Jubilee of Journalists on June 4 and the International Eucharistic Congress which takes place June 18-25.

In conclusion, the Holy Father entrusted all pilgrims to the Blessed Virgin. He noted that the month of May, which is dedicated to Mary, "is coming to an end, and will conclude on May 31 with the liturgical feast of the Visitation, which recalls Mary's visit to her cousin Elizabeth. Almost everywhere on that day there will be Marian celebrations, including in the Vatican where there will be the traditional evening procession to the Grotto of Lourdes.

"At Lourdes, as in Fatima, the Mother of God gave mankind the same message: prayer and penance, which echoes the Gospel warning: Be vigilant and pray! Only in this fashion can peace triumph in hearts, among men and women and among peoples."

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