OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, 5 FEB 2008 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

 - Accepted the resignation from the office of auxiliary of the diocese of Bilbao, Spain, presented by Bishop Carmelo Echenagusia Uribe, upon having reached the age limit.

 - Appointed Msgr. Mario Iceta Gavicagogeascoa, vicar general of the diocese of Cordoba, Spain, as auxiliary of the diocese of Bilbao (area 2,193, population 1,136,181, Catholics 1,006,197, priests 780, permanent deacons 1, religious 1,816), Spain. The bishop-elect was born in Gernika, Spain in 1965 and ordained a priest in 1994.
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SPIRITUAL EXERCISES OF POPE AND ROMAN CURIA

VATICAN CITY, 5 FEB 2008 (VIS) - On 10 February, the first Sunday of Lent, the annual spiritual exercises of the Holy Father and the Roman Curia will begin in the "Redemptoris Mater" Chapel of the Vatican's Apostolic Palace.

  This year's exercises are dedicated to the theme: "Let us welcome Christ, our High Priest. 'Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession'". The exercises will be directed by Cardinal Albert Vanhoye S.J., former secretary of the Pontifical Biblical Commission.

  The retreat will begin at 6 p.m. with the celebration of Vespers, the first meditation, adoration and Eucharistic blessing.

  Over the following days there will be the celebration of Lauds and meditation at 9 a.m.; celebration of Terce and meditation at 10.15 a.m.; meditation at 5 p.m.; and Vespers, adoration and Eucharistic blessing at 5.45 p.m.

  The spiritual exercises will come to an end on Saturday, 16 February, with the celebration of Lauds and a closing meditation at 9 a.m.

  During the retreat all audiences will be cancelled, including the weekly general audience of Wednesday, 13 February.
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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, 4 FEB 2008 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

 - Juan Somavia, director general of the International Labour Organisation.

 - Four prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Costa Rica, on their "ad limina" visit:

    - Archbishop Hugo Barrantes Urena of San Jose de Costa Rica.

    - Bishop Angel San Casimiro Fernandez O.A.R. of Alajuela, apostolic administrator "sede vacante" of Ciudad Quesada.

    - Bishop Jose Rafael Quiros Quiros of Limon.

    - Bishop Oscar Gerardo Fernandez Guillen of Puntarenas.

 - On Saturday, 2 February, he received in separate audiences:

 - Cardinal Francis Arinze, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

 - Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

 - Desire Koumba, ambassador of Gabon, accompanied by his wife, on a farewell visit.
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PRAYERS FOR KENYA, IRAQ AND COLOMBIA

VATICAN CITY, 3 FEB 2008 (VIS) - After praying the Angelus today with thousands of people gathered in St. Peter's Square, the Pope invited people to pray for peace in Kenya and in Iraq, and called for an end to kidnappings in Colombia.

  "I invite you to join our brothers and sisters of Kenya, some of whom are present in St. Peter's Square, in a prayer for reconciliation, justice and peace in their country", he said. "I assure everyone of my closeness, and hope that mediation efforts currently underway will prove successful and lead, with the goodwill and collaboration of all, to a rapid solution of the conflict which has already provoked too many victims".

  The Pope then turned his attention to Iraq "where evil, and the suffering it brings, seem to know no limits ... as the sad news of these days informs us. Once again", he said, "I raise my voice in support of that sorely-tried people, and invoke upon them the peace of God".

  Speaking Spanish, he then said: "I also raise ceaseless and fervent prayers to God for Colombia, where for some time, many sons and daughters of that beloved country are suffering the effects of extortion, kidnapping and the violent loss of their loved ones".

  "May such inhuman suffering come to a definitive end, and ways be found for reconciliation, mutual respect and genuine harmony, thus recreating fraternity and solidarity which are the solid foundations upon which to construct just progress and stable peace".

  Finally, the Holy Father turned his attention to the family, saying that it is there "that children learn the lexicon of civil co-existence and discover human values". He also encouraged parents "to rediscover the greatness and beauty of the educational mission" noting that "education is very demanding but also exhilarating".
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WELCOME LIFE, BEFORE BIRTH AND IN ITS FINAL STAGES

VATICAN CITY, 3 FEB 2008 (VIS) - At today's Angelus prayer on this the fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Benedict XVI entrusted various intentions to the prayers of the faithful present in St. Peter's Square and to everyone listening to him.

  Remarking that yesterday is the Day of Consecrated Life, the Pope called for prayers for all those people whom "Christ calls to follow Him more closely with a special form of consecration". And he asked the Virgin Mary "to ensure many holy vocations to consecrated life, which is a priceless treasure for the Church and for the world.

  "Another prayer intention", said the Holy Father, "is offered to us by the Day for Life which is being celebrated today in Italy and which has as its theme 'Serving life'". In this context he exhorted everyone, "each according to his or her possibilities, profession and responsibilities, to feel in themselves an obligation to love and serve life, from its beginning to its natural end. It is, in fact, everyone's duty to welcome human life as a gift to be respected, protected and promoted, even more so when it is fragile and in need of attention and care, either before birth or when it is in its final stages".

  The Pope encouraged those who "with exertion but with joy, without fuss but with great dedication, assist elderly or disabled relatives", and those who "regularly consecrate part of their time to helping people of all ages whose lives are burdened by so many different forms of poverty".

  On the subject of Lent, which begins next Wednesday, Benedict XVI asked that it "be a time of authentic conversion for all Christians, who are called to an ever more authentic and courageous witness of their faith".

  The Holy Father concluded his remarks by recalling that, from yesterday and up to and including 11 February, Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes and the 150th anniversary of the apparitions there, "it is possible to receive plenary indulgence, which may be applied to the deceased, under the usual conditions (sacramental Confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer in keeping with the intentions of the Holy Father) and by praying before a blessed image of Our Lady of Lourdes exposed to public veneration. For the sick and elderly this is possible if they formulate such a desire in their hearts".
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