OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUL 13, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Appointed Bishop Hugo Barrantes Urena of Puntarenas, Costa Rica, as metropolitan archbishop of San Jose de Costa Rica (area 3,758, population 2,761,910, Catholics 2,347,623, priests 376, religious 721), Costa Rica. He succeeds Archbishop Roman Arrieta Villalobos whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same archdiocese the Holy Father accepted upon having reached the age limit.

- Appointed Fr. Vittorino Girardi, M.C.C.I., professor at the Catholic University of Costa Rica, as bishop of Tilaran (area 11,736, population 347,000, Catholics 338,000, priests 57, religious 44), Costa Rica. The bishop-elect was born in 1938 in Lendinaria, Italy and was ordained a priest in 1963. He succeeds Bishop Hector Morera Vega whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted upon having reached the age limit.

- Accepted the resignation from the office of auxiliary of the archdiocese of San Jose de Costa Rica, Costa Rica, presented by Bishop Antonio Troyo Calderon upon having reached the age limit.

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TELEGRAM FOR VICTIMS OF TYPHOONS IN PHILLIPINES

VATICAN CITY, JUL 15, 2002 (VIS) - John Paul II sent a telegram, through Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of State, to Cardinal Jaime L. Sin, archbishop of Manilla, Phillipines, to express his closeness to the victims of the typhoons that have hit the islands.

"Deeply concerned," says the text, "by news of death and damage caused by typhoons and bad weather in the Phillipines, especially Manilla and Luzon, the Holy Father is close to you in prayer, commending the victims to Almighty God and invoking divine strength and comfort upon their grieving families all affected by this tragedy. He joins you in appealing for a great surge of solidarity at this difficult time for the nation."

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ANGELUS: SPIRITUAL CLOSENESS TO THE SICK AND IMPRISONED

VATICAN CITY, JUL 14, 2002 (VIS) - At midday today, the Holy Father addressed pilgrims gathered in the courtyard of the apostolic palace in Castelgandolfo to pray the Angelus.

John Paul II wished all those who are on vacation "a serene and beneficial rest for the body and the spirit" and he remembered especially those who do not have the possibility to take a vacation.

"I am thinking especially about those who are in jail or in the hospital, or those who are alone at home. I want to assure them of my spiritual closeness, while I hope that they do not lack necessary help provided by friends. In addition, I express my appreciation for those, who with authentic human and Christian spirit, dedicate themselves to helping people in need, the sick and those who find themselves in difficulty."

The Pope recalled that today is the memorial liturgy of St. Camillo of Lellis, patron of the sick and their care-takers. He "consecrated himself totally to God", he said, and "founded a new order: Ministers of the Sick, later called 'Camilians.' They wear a big red cross on their chest, sown to their habit, to remind themselves and everyone that Christ is the divine doctor, the true saviour of humanity."

After greeting pilgrims in different languages, the Holy Father concluded by asking the Virgin to intercede "for the up-coming World Youth Day, so that it may be a rich experience of faith and of Christian commitment for the young people who gather in Toronto."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUL 12, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese Libano-Honda, Colombia, presented by Bishop Jose Luis Serna Alzate, I.M.C., in accordance with Canon 401, para. 2, of the Code of Canon Law.

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11 DAYS UNTIL THE BEGINNING OF WORLD YOUTH DAY

VATICAN CITY, JUL 12, 2002 (VIS) - The Pontifical Council for the Laity has published the program of scheduled events for the 17th World Youth Day which will take place in Toronto, Canada from July 23 to 28 on the theme: "You are the salt of the earth....You are the light of the world."

World Youth Day will officially open on the afternoon of Tuesday July 23 with a Eucharistic celebration at Exhibition Place presided by Cardinal Aloysius Ambrozic, archbishop of Toronto. The cardinal will welcome young people from Canada as well as from other nations.

According to information provided by the office in charge of planning this event, 200,000 young people have registered to date. However, this figure does not include many Canadians who have not yet signed up. In addition, many young people from poor countries have had difficulties with their visas.

The welcoming ceremony with the Pope is scheduled for the afternoon of Thursday July 25 at Exhibition Place. On the mornings of July 24, 25 and 26, in more than 100 Churches and civic centers in Toronto, there will be sessions of catechesis for young people in various languages, led by bishops from all over the world. The themes for the three days are: "You are the salt of the earth"; "You are the light of the world"; "Be reconciled to God". All the catechesis sessions will conclude with Mass.

On the afternoons of July 24, 25 and 26, young people will be able to visit Coronation Park, situated on the outskirts of Ontario, which has been christened "Duc in Altum Park" for this occasion. Confessionals will be installed in the park and priests will be availabe for confession in different languages. One area of the park will be reserved for Eucharistic adoration.

In Exhibition Place on the afternoons of July 24, 25 and 26, there will be the Youth Festival which will include artistic, cultural and spiritual events based on the life and faith of young people from all around the world. For the first time, there will be the opportunity to participate in social service projects.

On the afternoon of July 26, the Way of the Cross will take place in several areas of Toronto. The main procession will depart from City Hall at 7:30 p.m. and will cross the center of the city along University Avenue.

The climax of World Youth Day will be the Vigil and Mass presided by Pope John Paul II at Downsview Park on the evening of Saturday July 27 and the morning of July 28. Young people will walk to Downsview Park after 8 a.m. on Saturday morning from different points of the city. The distance will be between 6 and 10 kilometers. The vigil will begin at 8 p.m. and will include prayer, music, testimony and the Holy Father's words.
The Holy Father will celebrate the concluding Mass of the 17th World Youth Day on Sunday July 28 at 9:30 a.m.

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