TELEGRAM TO NEW ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY

VATICAN CITY, JUL 24, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father sent a telegram to the new archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Douglas Williams, primate of the Anglican communion. The text follows:

"Having been informed of your appointment as archbishop of Canterbury, I am pleased to extend to you my congratulations and to assure you of my prayers. I have had the opportunity to know and work closely with your predecessors, Archbishop Runcie and Archbishop Carey, in the shared task of promoting understanding between the Anglican Communion and the Catholic Church. I am confident that, with God's help, we can make progress along the path towards unity, in order to experience anew "how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!" (Ps 133:1) I send my best wishes for your new and demanding ministry."

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YOUNG PEOPLE UNITED TO COMMIT THEMSELVES TO THE CAUSE OF PEACE

VATICAN CITY, JUL 23, 2002 (VIS) - John Paul II arrived at Lester B. Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Canada, at 1 p.m. local time (7 p.m. Rome time), officially beginning his 97th apostolic trip outside of Italy and his third visit to Canada, following previous trips in 1984 and 1987.

After listening to Prime Minister Jean Chretien's words of welcome, the Pope thanked those present "for welcoming the idea of holding the World Youth Day in Canada and for all that has been done to make it a reality."

"Young people from all parts of the world," he said, "are gathering for the World Youth Day. With their gifts of intelligence and heart they represent the future of the world. But they also bear the marks of a humanity that too often does not know peace or justice. Too many lives begin and end without joy, without hope. That is one of the principal reasons for the World Youth Day. Young people are coming together to commit themselves, in the strength of their faith in Jesus Christ, to the great causes of peace and human solidarity."

The Holy Father emphasized that Canadians are "heirs to an extraordinarily rich humanism, enriched even more by the blend of many different cultural elements. But the core of your heritage is the spiritual and transcendent vision of life based on Christian revelation which gave vital impetus to your development as a free, democratic and caring society, recognized throughout the world as a champion of human rights and human dignity."

"In a world of great social and ethical strains, and confusion about the very purpose of life, Canadians have an incomparable treasure to contribute - on condition that they preserve what is deep, and good and valid in their own heritage. I pray that the World Youth Day will offer all Canadians an opportunity to remember the values that are essential to good living and to human happiness."

When the welcome ceremony concluded, the Pope went by helicopter to Strawberry Island, located 95 kilometers from Toronto, where he will remain until Thursday afternoon.

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUL 24, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Bishop Luciano Bergamin, C.R.L., auxiliary of Santo Amaro, Brazil, as bishop of Nova Iguacu (area 983, population 1,800,000, Catholics 1,260,000, priests 74, permanent deacons 12, religious 135), Brazil.

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JOHN PAUL II LEAVES FOR TORONTO

VATICAN CITY, JUL 23, 2002 (VIS) - John Paul II left this morning at 10 a.m. from Fiumicino Airport in Rome for Toronto, Canada, where he is scheduled to arrive at Lester B. Pearson International Airport at 1:00 p.m. local time (7 p.m. Rome time) after a nine-hour flight. The papal plane will travel 7,147 kilometers and will fly over Italy, France, England, Ireland and Canada.

On his 97th apostolic trip outside of Italy, the Holy Father will preside in Toronto at celebrations on the occasion of the 17th World Youth Day. He will then go to Guatemala City and Mexico City where he will canonize Blesseds Pedro de San Jose de Betancurt and Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin.

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COSMOPOLITAN TORONTO FIRST LEG OF JOHN PAUL II'S TRIP

VATICAN CITY, JUL 23, 2002 (VIS) - On the occasion of John Paul II's apostolic trip to Toronto, we offer in continuation information about the city and its civil and ecclesiastical situation.

Toronto, founded in 1703, almost a century and a half after Montreal, was an administrative city until the arrival of the train in the middle of the 19th century. It has a 2,500,000 inhabitants, a third of which live within a 160 kilometer radius of the city. It is a cosmopolitan city; more than half of those who reside in Toronto were born abroad and a third speak a second language other than English.

Toronto's economic development has been extraordinary, especially after World War II, due to its proximity to the United States border and access to the Atlantic through the St. Lawrence River. Presently, it is the financial and decision-making center of Canada.

The city is known as "North Hollywood" for its television production industry and is the third world center of theater in the English language, after London and New York. It has the largest underground pedestrian walkway in North America.

The archdiocese of Toronto has 5,360,000 inhabitants, of which 1,847,000 are Catholics (35% of the population). It consists of 222 parishes, 5 churches or missionary stations, 385 diocesan and 501 religious priests, 613 male, non-priest religious and 738 nuns. There are 549 educational institutions and 46 charitable centers. Their archbishop is Cardinal Aloysius Matthew Ambrozic, born in Gabrje, Slovenia.

Forty-one thousand and ten Catholics belong to the diocese of Toronto of the Ukrainians. There are 78 parishes, 85 diocesan priests, 15 religious priests, 17 male, non-priest religious and 36 female religious. There are 7 educational institutions and their bishop is Cornelius John Pasichny, O.S.B.M.
The apostolic nuncio in Canada, as of June 2001, is Archbishop Luigi Ventura.

Upon his arrival, the Pope will be received by Prime Minister Jean Chretien, Governor David Young of Ontario, and Mayor Mel Lastman of Toronto. Representatives of the diplomatic corp and political and civil authorities will be present. Cardinal Ambrozic, archbishop of Toronto, Bishop Jacques Berthelet, C.S.V., president of the Episcopal Conference of Canada, Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte, archbishop of Montreal, and different religious leaders will also receive John Paul II, as well as 72 young people who represent the 72 dioceses of Canada and 5 youths from the five continents.

The Holy Father will then go to Strawberry Island where he will stay during his time in Canada. The island, which derives its name from its strawberry shape, belongs to the Basilian Congregation which uses it as a summer residence. It is located in Lake Simcoe, 95 kilometers north of Toronto, and is easily accessible by car or boat.

The religious of the Congregation of St. Basil, founded in France in the 19th century, who devote themselves to the education of young people, moved to Canada around 1852 at the request of the bishop of Toronto, a former student of the order. At present, they run 15 schools and universities in the country as well as others in the United States, and are present in Colombia, Mexico and Australia.

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