LANGUAGE GROUPS MEET ON AMENDMENTS TO PROPOSITIONS

VATICAN CITY, OCT 19, 1999 (VIS) - The small working, or language, groups of the synod for Europe met in their twelfth session last evening from 5 to 7 p.m. They will meet again today in morning and afternoon sessions, as well as tomorrow morning.

The synod fathers continue to discuss the individual amendments. Each working group will approve the collective amendments, voted by absolute majority, and these will be presented to the special secretary by the group relators. The collective amendments will then be examined by the working group relators under the guidance of the synod's general relator and with the assistance of the special secretaries and experts. The Final List of Propositions will be presented during the 17th general congregation on Thursday, October 21.

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OFFICIAL VISIT OF ITALIAN PRESIDENT CIAMPI

VATICAN CITY, OCT 19, 1999 (VIS) - This morning the Holy Father received Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, president of the Italian Republic, on an official visit to the Vatican. President Ciampi took office on May 18 this year.

In his address, the Pope indicated that Italy "is well integrated among the sister nations of Europe." This continent "which has reached unexpected levels of well-being, is today faced with the task of re-thinking itself in order to adapt its structures to higher goals, perhaps goals hardly yet imagined. Progress cannot be merely economic."

The economic dimension, he continued, must be "crowned by a 'centrality of the soul.' ... In this sense, it becomes essential that the public authorities recognize those basic human values upon which the very foundations of society rest. Pluralist State does not mean agnostic State."

After referring to the Italian nation's vocation to peace, John Paul II highlighted that "it is important that this situation persist, because only in the context of peace can the complex problems challenging the nation be faced and appropriately solved. Life must be guarded from conception and guaranteed, with love and dignity, in its natural evolution. Life is born and grows in the family, the fundamental cell upon which the nation stands, and which deserves ever improved assistance."

"Then," he went on, "there is school, which must be free and open to the moral and intellectual growth of the young generations. ... Finally, there is work." On this subject, he made a call to the public authorities to, "with all means possible, assist individuals to express their creative potential. It would be a grave fault to remain indifferent and confine the young to corrupting idleness."

The Pope concluded by highlighting the "traditional and well-tested hospitality of the Italian people," which will welcome the pilgrims who come to Rome in the year 2000.

Later, as prescribed by protocol, President Ciampi visited Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano, with whom he had a private interview. He was then accompanied to the Sala Regia, where Cardinal Sodano presented him to the diplomatic corps. The official ceremony concluded with the visit of the president to St. Peter's Basilica.

This afternoon Cardinal Sodano, accompanied by Archbishop Giovanni Battista Re, substitute for General Affairs, will visit the Quirinale, official residence of the Italian President, to return the visit.

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TELEGRAM FOR DEATH OF TANZANIA'S FIRST PRESIDENT

VATICAN CITY, OCT 19, 1999 (VIS) - Following is the text of the telegram sent by Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano, in Pope John Paul's name, to Benjamin Mkapa, president of Tanzania, for the death of that country's first president:

"Having learned with sadness of the death of Julius K. Nyerere, first president of the United Republic of Tanzania, His Holiness Pope John Paul II sends condolences to you and the nation. He commends the former president's soul to the mercy and love of Almighty God and prays that those who mourn his passing will ever increase their commitment to serving the greater good of the country in true justice and with respect for the rights and dignity of all. Upon the Tanzanian people His Holiness cordially invokes God's blessings of peace."

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PRESS OFFICE ON VISIT BY PRESIDENT CIAMPI

VATICAN CITY, OCT 19, 1999 (VIS) - The following declaration was made this afternoon by Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls on the visit earlier today by Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi to Pope John Paul II:

"Today, Tuesday October 19, 1999, His Holiness John Paul II received Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, president of the Italian Republic, accompanied by an official delegation.

"For the occasion the Holy Father addressed an important speech to the head of State. The speech is published separately together with the Italian President's reply.

"Also published is the speech with which Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano presented the illustrious guest to the diplomatic corps.

"In the course of discussions, the Pope and the cardinal secretary of state once again highlighted the need for collaboration between Church and State in promoting the moral values which form the basis of society, as the Pope said in his address: 'Pluralist State does not mean agnostic State.'
"In this context, the exchanges dwelt particularly on promoting the family and on the education of youth. Precisely in order to meet the rights of the family and of the young, the question was again raised of the need for effective educational liberty in keeping with the model already commonly accepted throughout the European Community."

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SIXTEENTH GENERAL CONGREGATION

VATICAN CITY, OCT 18, 1999 (VIS) - The sixteenth general congregation was held today from 9 a.m. to 12:30, and was presided over by Cardinal Paul Poupard, president delegate on duty. During the meeting, the unified list of propositions and the draft of the message were presented. The message itself was discussed. Pope John Paul II was present, as were 159 synod fathers.

It is expected that the working groups will meet this evening from 5 to 7 p.m. in order to prepare collective amendments to the propositions.

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