OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 10, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the territorial abbey of Saint-Maurice, Switzerland, presented by Bishop Henri Salina of the Canons Regular of the Swiss Congregation of Saint-Maurice, in accordance with Canon 401, paragraph 2, of the Code of Canon Law.

- Erected the diocese of Gwalior (area 33,584, population 5,566,723, Catholics 2,188, priests 27, religious 45), India, taking territory from the diocese of Jhansi, making it suffragan to the Metropolitan church of Bhopal. He also appointed Fr. Joseph Kaithathara as first bishop of Gwalior. The bishop-elect was born in Gothuruth, India, in 1939, was ordained a priest in 1963, and since 1996 has been pastor of St. John's in Gwalior.

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DECLARATION ON ITINERARY OF PAPAL TRIP TO ROMANIA VATICAN CITY, MAR 9, 1999 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls declared toda

VATICAN CITY, MAR 9, 1999 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls declared today that "the itinerary of the Holy Father's trip to Romania has yet to be defined. A papal envoy will go to Bucharest at the beginning of next week to finalize details of the visit, which will be then made public."

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PONTIFICAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES TO HOLD STUDY WEEK

VATICAN CITY, MAR 9, 1999 (VIS) - The Pontifical Academy of Sciences will hold a study week from March 12 through 16 at its offices in the Pius IV House in the Vatican, according to a communique published today by the academy. Members will meet on the theme "Science for Survival and Sustainable Development."

Academy President Nicola Cabibbo and the members will be received by Pope John Paul II on Friday, March 12. A visit to the Vatican Astrophysical Observatory and Botanical Gardens in Castelgandolfo is scheduled for Sunday, March 14.

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STUDENTS IN FOUR COUNTRIES JOIN POPE IN MONTHLY ROSARY

VATICAN CITY, MAR 6, 1999 (VIS) - After praying the rosary this evening in the Paul VI Hall, Pope John Paul addressed brief remarks to the faithful present, including a large number of university students, and reminded them that "March is the month dedicated to St. Joseph, spouse of Mary Most Holy and patron of the universal Church."

After greeting several groups of Italian pilgrims, the Pope added: "I have a special thought for young university students, those here present as well as those linked with us through Vatican Radio" at the universities of Buenos Aires, New York, Czestochowa and Santiago de Compostela.

"This evening I have the joy of sharing with you the start of the pilgrimage of the Cross in your universities," remarked John Paul II. "Know how to see in the Cross the most eloquent sign of the mercy of the Lord, ... the One Who is the foundation and certainty of every itinerary of intellectual research." He then concluded with remarks in Spanish, English and Polish to the students in the four different cities.

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WORK IS THE THEME OF POPE'S ADDRESS TO ACADEMICIANS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 6, 1999 (VIS) - Members of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences were welcomed by the Holy Father this morning at the end of their fifth general assembly, during which they discussed, for the third consecutive year, the theme of work. This was also the focus of the Pope's address to academicians, in which he stressed that "man must be at the center of work."

He highlighted the worldwide problem of unemployment, which "makes people and entire families fragile. ... They feel neither recognized nor useful for society, and from that comes the spiral of indebtedness." He urged the academicians "to seek new ways of reducing unemployment," acknowledging that "concrete solutions are certainly difficult" due to numerous and complex economic and political factors.

"Employment," the Pope continued, "is certainly a major challenge of international life. It presupposes a healthy sharing of labor and solidarity among all persons of a working age and who are suitable to do so. ...The parallel organization of moonlighting (underground work force) seriously harms a country's economy, for it constitutes a refusal to participate in national life through social security and taxes; ... it also places workers ... in an uncontrollable and unacceptable situation of submission and servility."

"For every person, work is an essential element. It contributes to the edification of their being. ... Work also gives every individual a place in society," and the knowledge that "they are useful to the human community."

Those most often touched by unemployment, said John Paul II, are young people. Leaders must do everything possible to assure youth, who are "one of a nation's most precious goods," of employment, in order to give them a sense of self-assurance and of belonging and contributing to society. "This will also reduce disparity among social classes, as well as the phenomena of violence, prostitution, drugs and delinquency."

"It is essential to have faith in people, to develop a system which privileges the sense of innovation on the part of individuals as well as groups, and favors participation and solidarity. ... Industry leaders and decision-makers must be aware that it is essential to base their approach on human capital and moral values, especially on respect for persons and their inalienable need to have employment. ... The globalization of the economy and of work likewise calls for the globalization of responsibilities."

The Holy Father decried the exploitation of poor countries with natural resources by rich countries and the unequal sharing of riches that results. He reiterated in concluding remarks that "the economy, work and enterprises are above all at the service of people."

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