AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, JUL 7, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience Zurab Zhvania, president of the parliament of the Republic of Georgia.

AP;...;...;...;VIS;19990707;Word: 30;

HOLY FATHER LEAVES TODAY FOR MOUNTAIN VACATION

VATICAN CITY, JUL 7, 1999 (VIS) - Pope John Paul leaves this afternoon for a vacation period in Les Combes in the northern Italian region of Valle'd'Aosta. He is scheduled to leave the Vatican by car at 5 p.m. today for Rome's Fiumicino Airport, where he will depart a half hour later. He arrives at the Torino-Caselle Airport at 6:30 p.m. and will immediately depart by helicopter for Les Combes.

JPII-VACATION;...;...;LES COMBES;VIS;19990707;Word: 80;

ACADEMY MEMBER SPEAKS ON SCIENCE AT THE SERVICE OF MAN

VATICAN CITY, JUL 7, 1999 (VIS) - The World Conference on Science, jointly organized by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization and by the International Council of Scientific Unions, was held in Budapest from June 26 to July 1. Prof. Paul Marie Germain, a member of the Holy See delegation, addressed the assembly on June 30.

In his speech in French, made public today, Prof. Germain, who is a member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, explained the history, scope and activities of the pontifical academy to the conference.

The precursor of the actual academy was the "Linceorum Academia," founded in Rome in 1603. Over the years it has had different names but was re-established in 1936 by Pope Pius XI, who gave it its current name. Currently, it is the only academy of a supranational character which exists in the world. Germain recalled that it was founded "to promote progress in the mathematical, physical and natural sciences."

He explained that "the academy is an independent body placed under the direct responsibility of the Pope, not the Curia. Its members are chosen on the basis of the originality, quality and scope of their scientific work, their moral personality, without distinction of ethnic group or religion. Catholics are in the minority. There are 80 members. All disciplines and all continents are represented and there is (a favorable) proportion of women."

The Holy See delegate pointed out that the subjects studied by academicians are quite varied, ranging from "knowledge of recent discoveries" to "reflections on philosophical questions" and on "the interaction of the application of sciences in societies." And he recalled, among other activities, the academy's "remarkable initiative" in 1982 of inviting science academies from the whole world to a meeting in Rome to discuss nuclear weapons.

"You can understand," he stated, "why the Holy See accepted with enthusiasm and appreciation to participate in this conference. The Vatican has no laboratories, no industrial enterprises, no army; but the it does have an immense concern for all of mankind and a great interest in scientific ventures, which are a significant and stimulating phase of mankind on the move."

DELSS;SCIENCE;...;BUDAPEST; GERMAIN;VIS;19990707;Word: 350;

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUL 7, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed:

- Bishop Berhane-Yesus Demerew Souraphiel C.M., apostolic administrator "sede vacante" of Addis Abeba (area 300,600, population 17,007,000, Catholics 51,127, priests 172, religious 516), Ethiopia, as metropolitan archbishop of the same metropolitan archeparchy. The archbishop-elect was born in Tchela Claka, Ethiopia, in 1948 and ordained a priest in 1976.

- Fr. Emilio Patriarca, of the archdiocesan clergy of Milan and "fidei donum" missionary in Zambia, as bishop of Monze (area 62,160, population 752,000, Catholics 130,000, priests 65, religious 165), Zambia. The bishop-elect was born in Varese, Italy, in 1937, ordained a priest in 1962 and since 1995 has been assistant pastor in the parish of Santa Maria at Choma, diocese of Monze.

NER;...;...;SOURAPHIEL; PATRIARCA ;VIS;19990707;Word: 110;

HOLY YEAR OFFICIAL GUIDEBOOKS PRESENTED TODAY

VATICAN CITY, JUL 6, 1999 (VIS) - The two official Vatican guidebooks to the Jubilee, "Pilgrims in Prayer for the Jubilee of the Holy Year 2000" and "Pilgrims in Rome for the Jubilee of the Holy Year 2000" were presented this morning in the Holy See Press Office during a press conference.

Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, president of the Central Committee of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000, said that "the two books presented today propose anchoring Roman celebrations in clear and calm waters: those of the faith of the apostles. Thanks to these pages, so well illustrated, ... the pilgrim will be able to feel at one and the same time, like a contemporary of Christ's and a citizen of today's world."

Archbishop Crescenzio Sepe, secretary general of the committee, spoke principally on the artistic-historical aspects of the two volumes. Though presented today in Italian only, the books, which must be bought together, will be published in the principal languages.

Well-illustrated and offering maps of the sites that pilgrims will visit, "Pilgrims in Rome" describes the principal basilicas and other historical churches in Rome, the catacombs, the homes of many saints and the Vatican Museums. The back inside cover contains a map of Rome's transportation system.

Archbishop Sepe said that in the second volume, "'Pilgrims in Prayer,' outlines of meditations and reflections are proposed which offer, in a synthetic way, paths for reading about the great themes of the Jubilee, and facilitate the understanding of the central message of every holy place."

This book, which also contains ample artwork, offers the official Jubilee prayer written by Pope John Paul II and the hymn of the Great Jubilee on the inside front and back covers. It also provides reflections on the meaning of the Jubilee, the "stations" used for prayer (the basilicas and catacombs) and celebrations, prayers and songs, such as the Pilgrim's Blessing, Rite of the Mass, penitential act, special Masses, Matins. Lauds and Vespers, and the rosary.

Archbishop Francesco Gioia, secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, spoke on the preparation of the book, a five-phase period which began on December 20, 1996. This included choosing authors, experts on various subjects, artists and editors, accepting suggestions from members of the Central Committee, putting together a rough draft and re-editing that draft. The books are published by the Italian house Mondadori.

The archbishop said that "the title of the two volumes, 'Pilgrims,' is extremely important. One, the guidebook, specifies the 'where': Rome. The other book shows 'how' one should live a pilgrimage: in prayer. The 'way', the path, travelling, are symbols of human existence."

Archbishop Gioia also highlighted the artwork and biblical reflections found in the two volumes, explained how they were selected, and how they underscore the spirituality of a pilgrimage. He remarked that the artwork contained in them "makes the two books instruments of culture."

Gian Arturo Ferrari, from Mondadori Publishers, explained that, according to an agreement with the Holy See, the two volumes will be published in two versions: a more upscale version whose price will be œ45,000 ($25) and an economical one, priced at œ10,000 ($6). Volumes are identical in content and may not be sold separately. A slightly lower price will be given to religious institutes and orders, parishes, lay movements, etc.

OP;JUBILEE BOOKS;...;ETCHEGARAY; SEPE;VIS;19990706;Word: 550;