POPE ATTENDS A CONCERT AT CASTELGANDOLFO

VATICAN CITY, SEP 12, 1999 (VIS) - This evening at Castelgandolfo, John Paul II attended a concert of classical music promoted by the "Lucchini" Foundation of Brescia, Italy.

At the end of the concert, the Pope thanked the pianist and the organizers and made clear his desire that the Foundation, "through its many activities, might contribute to spreading those human and spiritual values that form the fundamental base for the moral, civil and economic progress of the whole of society."

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, 13 SEP, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Archbishop Ubaldo Calabresi, apostolic nuncio in Argentina.
- Pakalitha Bethuel Mosisili, prime minister of Lesotho and his entourage.
- Archbishop Gerardo Pierro of Salerno-Campagna-Acerno, Italy.
- Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo, apostolic administrator "sede vacante ad nutum Sanctae Sedis" of Dili, East Timor.

On Saturday, September 11, he received in separate audiences:

- Archbishop Giovanni Bulaitis, apostolic nuncio in Albania.
- Archbishop Fortunato Baldelli, apostolic nuncio in France.
- Bishop Salvatore Boccaccio of Frosinone-Veroli-Ferentino, Italy.

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BISHOP BELO OF EAST TIMOR TO GIVE A BRIEFING TOMORROW

VATICAN CITY, SEP 13, 1999 (VIS) - Tomorrow, September 14, at 11:30 a.m. in the Holy See Press Office, Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo, apostolic administrator "sede vacante ad nutum Sanctae Sedis" of Dili, East Timor, will hold a briefing for accredited journalists.

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TALY'S NEW AMBASSADOR TO HOLY SEE PRESENTS CREDENTIALS

VATICAN CITY, SEP 13, 1999 (VIS) - Raniero Avogadro, Italy's new ambassador to the Holy See, today presented his Letters of Credence to the Holy Father, who received him at the apostolic palace in Castelgandolfo.

In his welcome speech, the Pope underlined the historical ties which bind the Roman Pontiff to Rome and to Italy. He remarked that "Catholicism has marked the country with infinite signs of faith and charity," from works of art with religious themes, to "saints of exceptional stature," to "outstanding personalities of every order of the People of God, with singular contributions of genius and style to the Roman Curia."

John Paul II pointed out that "in this century, the misunderstandings and crises which had accompanied the formation of Italy as a free, national state, were happily overcome." He underlined that, while the Church's temporal domain had "its undeniable function," the 1929 Lateran Pacts settled the question of the Papal States, ratifying "the establishment of Vatican City State, which was given that minimum territorial basis necessary to assure the Pope and Holy See absolute sovereignty and independence." The Concordat, he added, became "a guarantee for that free exercise of religious life which is among the first of all human rights."

The Pope then spoke of the collaboration between the State and the Catholic Church "in the promotion of mankind and the good of the country." This collaboration, he said, must be "deepened and pursued," especially in questions regarding the defense of human dignity, the recognition and defense of the family, "the basic cell of society and its natural foundation," and in education. On the latter subject, he stressed the need for "effective juridical and economy parity between state and non-state schools."

Pope John Paul concluded by addressing remarks to the role of Christian Italy within the context of both Europe and the Mediterranean region: "Co-builder of a Europe of the spirit, artisan of peace in the Mediterranean, custodian of that ancient Christian soul which is part of its makeup and history: this is the Italy of my hopes!"

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MESSAGE FROM THE HOLY FATHER TO THE PEOPLE OF EAST TIMOR

VATICAN CITY, SEP 10, 1999 (VIS) - Made public today was a message from the Holy Father to Bishops Carlos F. Ximenes Belo S.D.B. and Basilio Do Nascimento, respectively apostolic administrators of Dili and Baucau, East Timor, and to the faithful of that country. The text of the message is as follows:

"It is with great sadness that hour by hour I am receiving ever more tragic news from the cherished land of East Timor and I am profoundly saddened that the glimmers of hope born of the recent popular consultation have been transformed into the terror of today, which nothing and no-one can justify.

"In these hours of suffering, I wish to send to both of you, to the clergy, seminarians, religious and faithful of the two dioceses this expression of my spiritual closeness, while remembering in prayer those who have died, the injured, the refugees, the deportees and all who are in distress. I call on everyone to cling to hope in the victory of the Cross, even as they are living once again the sorrowful experience of the passion.

"In most firmly condemning the violence, which has also been furiously unleashed against the personnel and property of the Catholic Church, I implore those responsible for so many acts of wickedness to abandon their murderous and destructive intentions. It is also my heartfelt wish that as soon as possible Indonesia and the International Community will put an end to the slaughter and find effective ways to meet the legitimate aspirations of the Timorese population.

"With such sentiments and fervent wishes, and as a pledge of divine comfort, I impart with all my heart to you and your Christian communities my Apostolic Blessing."

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