JOHN PAUL II WELCOMES NEW AMBASSADOR FROM BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA

VATICAN CITY, NOV 30, 2002 (VIS) - John Paul II today received the Letters of Credence of Ivan Misic, the new ambassador from Bosnia-Herzegovina to the Holy See and, in welcoming remarks to the diplomat in his native language, the Pope recalled his pastoral visit to Sarajevo in 1997, shortly after the end of the war that racked that region.

The Pope confirmed his "closeness to the beloved peoples of Bosnia-Herzegovina who have not only undergone a political system based on an ideology in contrast with the values inscribed in the human spirit, but also a long and painful war." He noted that the Washington Accord and the Dayton Accords "caused arms to be silent. However there is need to work together intensely to build a peace in justice and to make it work, resolving problems linked to the country's future" such as "the question of refugees and the exiled."

He stated that, in building the country, concrete programs are necessary "that start with the person and respect his dignity, that offer possibilities for work, ... that promote dialogue and collaboration" throughout society.

The Holy Father declared that "democracy is a demanding duty, that calls for morality, honesty, human sensitivity, wisdom, patience, respect for others, willingness to compromise every time the common good calls for it, and a firm will to put forth but not impose one's points of view and ideas. Such a duty is even more demanding in multiethnic, multicultural and multireligious countries such as Bosnia-Herzegovina."

The Pope called for "true reconciliation and sincere pardon," saying that "one cannot erase the memory of what has happened in the past but one can and must free the heart from rancor and vendetta." He said that remembering warns us not to repeat errors." He added that "the Church in Bosnia-Herzegovina is already at work and offering its contribution to reconciliation and pardon. ... (She) also is trying to promote the formation of the new generations through schools open to whoever wishes" to attend.

He noted that a just society is one that will "repudiate every temptation to favor one individual to the detriment of others, ... (and) is ready to assure everyone of effective equality and is attentive to respecting rights, freedoms and the identity of each one."

Pope John Paul then turned to the "drama of the many refugees and exiled persons who wish to return home, ... who are denied the right to live serenely in their native land. ... Such persons justly ask for guarantees for their safety, as well as the creation of acceptable political, social and economic conditions. They also ask for the restitution of the goods of which they were deprived by violent means during the war."

He stressed that no problem must be solved with violence, or with harm to defenseless people, adding that there must be "the will to repair and correct the injustices committed through opportune political and economic interventions at both the local and institutional levels." He said he hoped the international community would offer the necessary assistance and aid.

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POPE ACCEPTS RESIGNATION FROM DEAN OF COLLEGE OF CARDINALS

VATICAN CITY, NOV 30, 2002 (VIS) - Made public today was the Pope's Letter to Cardinal Bernardin Gantin in which he accepts the cardinal's request to resign his position as dean of the College of Cardinals and the title of the suburbicarian Church of Ostia. The new dean will be Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

"The sentiments of devotion that you, with great trust, have expressed once again," writes the Holy Father, "have had a profound echo in my soul, ... knowing that they are a confirmation, according to the motto of your episcopal coat of arms 'In tuo sancto servitio', of a life dedicated to the service of the Lord in deep communion in thought and affection with the Successor of Peter."

John Paul II observes that the cardinal had expressed the desire to leave his role as dean on his eightieth birthday and to return to his homeland, Benin, "in order to still make a useful contribution to the life of the Church" in the country and "to give a penetrating testimony in favor of the Gospel."

"Keeping all of this in mind," he concludes, "I have decided to grant the double petition that he has presented to me, wishing with this gesture to show him the acute recognition that I carry in my heart for all the help that he has offered to me generously in these years."

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FATHER CARLO GNOCCHI: AN UNFORGETTABLE TEACHER OF LIFE

VATICAN CITY, NOV 30, 2002 (VIS) - This morning in the Paul VI Hall the Holy Father received participants in the pilgrimage of the "Father Carlo Gnocchi" Foundation which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Fr. Gnocchi.

John Paul II recalled that Fr. Carlo Gnocchi was "an educator of young people from the very beginning of his priestly ministry." During World War II he worked as a volunteer chaplain and "he acted with heroic charity toward the wounded and the dying, developing the design of a great work dedicated to the poor, to orphans and to the unfortunate. Thus, the 'Pro Juventute' Foundation was born, through which many social and apostolic initiatives came about to help so many war orphans and little ones mutilated by explosive devices."

"'To restore the human person' is the principle that continues to inspire you," he said, "in fidelity to the spirit of Fr. Carlo Gnocchi," whose process of beatification was opened in 1987. "He was convinced that it was not enough to attend to the sick; one must 'restore them', promoting them through appropriate therapy which makes them gain confidence in themselves again. If this calls for a technical and profession update, it calls for, above anything else, constant human and spiritual help."

The Pope urged the workers, volunteers, former students and friends of the spiritual family of Fr. Carlo Gnocchi and the members of the National Association of Mountain Troops ("alpini") and the National Association of Organ Donors, as well as representative of the male and female religious institutions loved by him, to "follow in the footsteps of this unforgettable teacher of life." With regard to organ donations, the Pope recalled that Fr. Gnocchi's "generosity continued after his death on February 28, 1956, with the donation of his corneas to two blind boys."

"Today," the Pope concluded, "his message represents a singular prophecy of solidarity and peace. Serving the neediest and the insignificant in a disinterested way contributes to building a more welcoming and unified world."

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POPE SAYS MASS FOR FILIPINO CATHOLIC COMMUNITY IN ROME

VATICAN CITY, DEC 1, 2002 (VIS) - Today, the first Sunday in Advent, the Holy Father celebrated Mass in the Paul VI Hall at 10 a.m. for the Filipino Catholic community residing in Rome, thus resuming his usual custom of meeting with parishes and communities in the diocese.

In the homily, delivered in English, John Paul II said that the existence of 39 pastoral centers in Rome demonstrates the "Church's concern for the Filipino faithful."

"Hold fast to the rich cultural and religious heritage that is an integral part of your identity. Many of you have had the chance to find employment here in Italy and have attained a standard of living that enables you to help you family members at home. For others, however - and I hope that they are few - your status as immigrants has brought you serious problems, including loneliness, the separation of families, the loss of the values handed down from the past and at times even the loss of your faith."

"I would like to renew to all of you, and in particular to the many women present here, the words of encouragement which we heard in today's liturgy: Do not lose heart! We must not grow weak in faith, for the Lord is near. The fact that you are immigrants makes you all the more dear to Jesus Who, as we recall during Advent, came on earth to save us."

The Pope urged the Filipino community to "continue, then, with trust and determination, along the path of faith and solidarity. ... The witness of an authentically Christian life will keep you united among yourselves and will continue to win you the respect and help of others. I ask those who employ you to welcome and love you as cherished brothers and sisters in Christ. All of us must work together to build the civilization of love."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, NOV 30, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Accepted the request to be dispensed from the office of the Dean of the College of Cardinals and from the title of suburbicarian Church of Ostia presented by Cardinal Bernardin Gantin. The cardinal will retain the title of the suburbicarian Church of Palestrina.

- Approved the election by the cardinals of the Order of Bishops of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, of the title of the suburbicarian Church of Velletri-Segni, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, as dean of the College of Cardinals, and of Cardinal Angelo Sodano, of the title of the suburbicarian Church of Albano, secretary of State, as vice-dean of the same college.

- Appointed Fr. Joseph Oudeman, O.F.M. Cap., assistant pastor of Wynnum and chaplain of the Dutch community of the archdiocese of Brisbane, Australia as auxiliary of the same archdiocese (population 65,000, population 2,255,100, Catholics 550,630, priests 258, permanent deacons 1, religious 1037). The bishop-elect was born in Brede, Holland in 1942 and was ordained a priest 1966.

- Appointed Cardinals Camillo Ruini, vicar general for the diocese of Rome, and Jan Pieter Schotte, C.I.C.M., secretary general of the Synod of Bishops and president of the Labor Office of the Apostolic See, as members of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See.

- Appointed Msgr. Pietro Parolin, nunciature councillor of the Section for Relations with States of the Secretariat of State, as undersecretary of the same section.

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