AUDIENCE WITH FRANCISCAN SISTERS OF MARY IMMACULATE

VATICAN CITY, JUN 17, 2000 (VIS) - This morning, the Pope received the Franciscan Sisters of Mary Immaculate from various parts of Italy, Brazil, the Philippines and India, who are taking part in their general chapter.

The Holy Father affirmed that their charism must stimulate them to be missionaries in the fields of "training and education of children and youth, catechesis, collaboration in pastoral activity in parishes and missions and in all those initiatives of solidarity and assistance that not only harmonize with the spirit of the Institute but, above all, are more responsive to the needs of the Church of our time."

"You are, first of all, Franciscans" he said. "The first characteristic element of your life and apostolic activity is the Franciscan ideal. ... In the school of Francis and Clare of Assisi, each Franciscan sister of Mary Immaculate is called to bear witness to humanity in the third millennium of the transforming power of the Gospel announced through word and example, bringing the Good News of reconciliation and salvation to all."

John Paul II indicated that "the second fundamental element" of their religious identity "is Marian spirituality. ... Consequently, may Mary Immaculate be your guide, your inspirational model, your constant support on the daily journey, a refuge in the inevitable difficulties and a delight in moments of joy and sharing."

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PRESENTATION OF HOLY SEE'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 17, 2000 (VIS) - In the Holy See Press Office on Friday June 23 at 11:30 a.m., Archbishop Sergio Sebastiani, president of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See, will present the Holy See's consolidated financial statement for 1999.

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THEME FOR 34TH WORLD DAY OF PEACE IS PUBLISHED

VATICAN CITY, JUN 17, 2000 (VIS) - The theme chosen by Pope John Paul for the 34th World Day of Peace, to take place on January 1, 2001 is "Dialogue between cultures for a civilization of love and peace." The year 2001 has been proclaimed by the United Nations as the International Year of Dialogue Between Cultures.

The communique which published the 2001 theme states that "a vision of culture as a line of defense against recent 'globalization' tendencies and as a way to keep alive particular beliefs and usages is accompanied, sometimes, by anxiety for a possible 'clash of cultures' in which power and strength constitute the only criteria of evaluation. Against such general lines, a sincere, open and peaceful dialogue between cultures is suggested, a dialogue which recognizes in the search for the truth an inspiration written in human nature."

"All cultures are called to build a civilization of peace and love. As John Paul II affirmed in his speech for the 50th General Assembly of the U.N.: 'We must conquer our fear of the future. But we can only conquer it totally if we do so together. ... The answer to that fear ...is the common effort to build a civilization of love based on the universal values of peace, solidarity, justice and liberty'."

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THE JUBILEE: AN OCCASION TO REDISCOVER THE LOVE OF GOD

VATICAN CITY, JUN 17, 2000 (VIS) - This morning in the Paul VI Hall, the Holy Father received 1,100 pilgrims from Italy and other countries who have come to Rome for the Jubilee.

Speaking French to participants in a meeting of the world organization of former pupils of Catholic schools, he requested that their own children and the youth of today may benefit from the same intellectual, human and moral formation that they had received because, "they must learn, from the older generations, the points of reference in order for their lives to be beautiful and full of hope."

To a group of faithful from various Italian parishes, John Paul II expressed the hope that "the marvelous days of your jubilee pilgrimage that have brought you to meet Christ, ... may constitute for each of you a joyful occasion to rediscover God's love and a renewed experience of your belonging to His great family that is the Church."

The Pope also greeted members of the military academy of the Ecuadorian ministry of defense. Speaking to them in Spanish, he said "to cross the Holy Door is to demonstrate the will to approach God and, consequently, to live in accordance with the teaching of the Gospel. May this gesture, accompanied by works of piety and charity, bring you the grace necessary to carry out your family and professional duties, giving witness of your union with Christ and your belonging to His Church."

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EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS BEGINS WITH A CALL FOR UNITY

VATICAN CITY, JUN 18, 2000 (VIS) - At 6:30 p.m. in St. Peter's Square, the Pope presided at the second vespers of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, on the occasion of the opening of the 47th International Eucharistic Congress whose theme is "Jesus Christ, One Savior of the World, Bread for a New Life."

"The Church," said the Holy Father in his homily, "summoned together for the International Eucharistic Congress, turns at this time to the Upper Room and there remains in pensive adoration. She relives the great mystery of the Incarnation, concentrating her gaze upon the Sacrament in which Christ consigned us the commemoration of His passion."

John Paul II affirmed that "the minds and hearts of so many faithful throughout the world turn towards this square. I invite everyone, individual believers and ecclesial communities from all corners of the earth, to share with us this moment of elevated Eucharistic spirituality. I especially ask children and the sick, as well as the contemplative orders, to offer their prayers for the happy and successful outcome of this world Eucharistic meeting.

"The call arises from the Eucharistic Congress to renew our faith in the real presence of Christ in the Sacrament of the altar: 'Ave, verum corpus!' At the same time comes the urgent appeal for the reconciliation and unity of all believers: 'One body ... one faith, one baptism!' Unfortunately, contrasts and divisions continue to lacerate the Body of Christ and prevent Christians from different confessions from sharing the single bread of the Eucharist. Consequently, together we invoke the healing power of divine mercy, so abundant in this Jubilee year."

More than one hundred Italian and foreign confraternities took part in the opening ceremony, among them the Spanish confraternity of Our Lady of Suffering of the Piarists of Granada, whom the Pope greeted at the end of his homily.

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