TELEGRAM FOR THE DEATH OF CARDINAL RAZAFINDRATANDRA

VATICAN CITY, 12 JAN 2010 (VIS) - Benedict XVI has expressed his condolences for the death of Cardinal Armand Gaetan Razafindratandra, archbishop emeritus of Antananarivo, Madagascar, who passed away on Saturday 9 January at the age of 84.

  In a telegram made public yesterday afternoon, addressed to Archbishop Odon Marie Arsene Razanakolona of Antananarivo, the Holy Father notes how the late cardinal "dedicated his entire life to helping Madagascans, as a diocesan priest and later as archbishop of Antananarivo, giving the best of himself that Christ might be announced".

  The Pope likewise prays that, "by the maternal intercession of the Virgin Mary, Queen of Africa, the Lord may welcome His faithful servant into His Kingdom of peace and light".

  With the death of Cardinal Razafindratandra, the college of cardinals now has 182 members, of whom 112 are electors.
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PONTIFICAL NORTH AMERICAN COLLEGE CELEBRATES 150 YEARS

VATICAN CITY, 9 JAN 2010 (VIS) - At midday today, the Holy Father received the rector, students and former students of the Pontifical North American College in Rome, in a meeting marking the 150th anniversary of the foundation of that institution by Blessed Pius IX.

  "The present reunion", said the Pope speaking English, "is an opportunity not only to remember with gratitude the time of your studies, but also to reaffirm your filial affection for the Church of Rome, to recall the apostolic labours of the countless alumni who have gone before you, and to recommit yourselves to the high ideals of holiness, fidelity and pastoral zeal which you embraced on the day of your ordination".

  Recalling his own pastoral visit to the United States in April 2008, Benedict XVI noted how he had then expressed his "conviction that the Church in America is called to cultivate an intellectual 'culture' which is genuinely Catholic, confident in the profound harmony of faith and reason, and prepared to bring the richness of faith's vision to bear on the pressing issues which affect the future of American society.

  "As Blessed Pius IX rightly foresaw", he added, "the Pontifical North American College in Rome is uniquely prepared to help meet this perennial challenge. In the century and a half since its foundation, the College has offered its students an exceptional experience of the universality of the Church, the breadth of her intellectual and spiritual tradition, and the urgency of her mandate to bring Christ's saving truth to the men and women of every time and place".

  The Pope expressed his confidence that, "by emphasising these hallmarks of a Roman education in every aspect of its programme of formation, the College will continue to produce wise and generous pastors capable of transmitting the Catholic faith in its integrity, bringing Christ's infinite mercy to the weak and the lost, and enabling America's Catholics to be a leaven of the Gospel in the social, political and cultural life of their nation".

  At the end of his remarks the Pope recalled how the college chapel, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, contains portrayals of "four outstanding models and patrons of priestly life and ministry: St. Gregory the Great, St. Pius X, St. John Mary Vianney and St. Vincent de Paul. During this Year for Priests, may these great saints continue to watch over the students who daily pray in their midst; may they guide and sustain your own ministry, and intercede for the priests of the United States".
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MEETING OF PERMANENT WORKING COMMISSION HOLY SEE - ISRAEL

VATICAN CITY, 9 JAN 2010 (VIS) -  The Bilateral Permanent Working Commission between the Holy See and the State of Israel met on 7 January to continue its work on an Agreement pursuant to article 10 para. 2 of the 1993 Fundamental Agreement between the two Parties, announces a communique made public today.

  The talks proved useful and were held in un atmosphere of cordiality. Some important topics for forthcoming meetings were spelled out.

  The next meeting will take place on 10 February at the headquarters of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the plenary meeting of the commission will be held in the Vatican on 27 May.
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POPE VISITS CARDINAL ETCHEGARAY IN HOSPITAL

VATICAN CITY, 9 JAN 2010 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J. released the following declaration to journalists this evening:

  "This evening the Holy Father travelled to Rome's Gemelli hospital to visit Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, who was admitted there following a fracture he suffered during the incident at the beginning of Midnight Mass on 24 December last year, which required a surgical operation.

  "The visit took place at around 7 p.m. and lasted for about half an hour. It was characterised by a very cordial conversation in French between the Pope and the cardinal. The Pope expressed his concern and his spiritual closeness, and was able to assure himself personally of the favourable progress and post-operative rehabilitation of Cardinal Etchegaray, whose clinical conditions are excellent. During the conversation the two men were seated and at the end the cardinal walked with the Pope accompanying him to the door. Cardinal Etchegaray's release from hospital is expected for the middle of next week. On his way out the Holy Father also greeted a number of other patients".
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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, 9 JAN 2010 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

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

 - Cardinal Andrea Cordero Lanza di Montezemolo.

 - Cardinal William Wakefield Baum, major penitentiary emeritus.

 - Archbishop Joseph Augustine Di Noia O.P., secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
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