POPE URGES UNITY AGAINST VIOLENCE AMONG WORLD RELIGIONS

VATICAN CITY, NOV 30, 2003 (VIS) - Before praying the Angelus today at noon with the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square, the Pope indicated that today was the beginning of Advent, 'a journey of spiritual renovation in preparation for Christmas. The voices of the prophets in the liturgy, who announce the Messiah and invite all to conversion of heart and to prayer, resound.'

'Christ, the Prince of peace, is coming!' exclaimed the Holy Father. 'Preparing ourselves for His birth means reawakening the hope for peace in ourselves and in the entire world. Especially peace in our hearts which is built by putting down the weapons of rancor, vengeance and every form of selfishness.'

John Paul II emphasized that the 'world greatly needs peace. I am thinking especially, with profound sadness, of the latest episodes of violence in the Middle East and Africa, as well as in so many other parts of the world reported in the daily news. I renew my appeal to the leaders of the great religions: let us join forces in preaching non-violence, forgiveness and reconciliation!'

'On this journey of anticipation and hope that is Advent,' he added, 'the Church community identifies herself more than ever with Our Lady. May Our Lady of Hope help us so that we may open our hearts to Him who bestows the priceless gift of peace on all of humanity by coming among us.'

After the Angelus, the Pope recalled that tomorrow is World AIDS Day and that the 'disease ' is unfortunately still spreading, especially in the poorest countries. While I pray for those who are afflicted by this scourge, I encourage all those in the Church who offer the inestimable service of acceptance, healing and spiritual support to these brothers and sisters of ours.'

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HOLY FATHER'S INTENTIONS FOR DECEMBER

VATICAN CITY, DEC 1, 2003 (VIS) - The Holy Father's general intention for the month of December is: 'That the members of all religions may cooperate to alleviate the human sufferings of our time.'

His mission intention is: 'That the Church in the countries where totalitarian regimes still reign, may be given full freedom to carry out her own spiritual mission.'

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150(th) ANNIVERSARY OF PONTIFICAL FRENCH SEMINARY IN ROME

VATICAN CITY, DEC 1, 2003 (VIS) - During these days, the Pontifical French Seminary in Rome is celebrating the 150(th) anniversary of its founding. On this occasion, the Holy Father received this morning in audience a group of professors and students from the institution to whom he said, 'The formation of future priests is a special duty in the Church.'

'It is the primary responsibility of the bishops,' he continued, 'to whom the call to holy orders pertains, after having discerned with the priests charged with this task.'

'Take advantage of this time to let yourselves be directed by the Lord, with great docility to the Spirit and profound obedience to the Church and Her shepherds,' he said. He concluded by saying, 'your integral formation is a human, spiritual, moral and intellectual maturation ' in the light of Christ and in contact with pastoral realities, accepting with trust the help of teachers in the heart of the community.'

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WIESENTHAL CENTER WISHES POPE FOR 25(TH) ANNIVERSARY

VATICAN CITY, DEC 1, 2003 (VIS) - This morning John Paul II received members of the European section of the Simon Wiesenthal Center of Paris, an institution founded in 1977 in order to preserve the memory of the Holocaust, while promoting tolerance and understanding through creating awareness and education. Members of the Wiesenthal Center visited the Pope in order to wish him for the 25(th) anniversary of his pontificate.

After expressing gratitude for the visit, the Pope spoke to the members of the center: 'In these difficult times, let us pray that all peoples everywhere will be strengthened in their commitment to mutual understanding, reconciliation and peace.'

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THE LORD WILL RE-ESTABLISH THE UNITY THAT HE INSPIRED

VATICAN CITY, NOV 30, 2003 (VIS) - A delegation from the Holy See, led by Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, is in Istanbul, Turkey for the liturgical celebrations of the feast of St. Andrew, patron of the ecumenical patriarchate, which is commemorated both in the East and West. Every year the patriarchate sends a delegation to Rome on June 29, the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul.

This morning the delegation attended a solemn liturgy presided by His Holiness Bartholomew I in the Church of St. George in Fanar. At the end of the ceremony, Cardinal Kasper delivered a special message to the ecumenical patriarch from John Paul II. This afternoon, members of the Holy See delegation visited other Churches in Istanbul. Tomorrow, December 1, the delegation will hold a meeting with members of the synodal commission of the ecumenical patriarchate charged with relations with the Catholic Church.
In his message, written in French, John Paul II says that during the celebration of the 25(th) anniversary of his pontificate on October 16, he was thinking about 'the many events that have contributed to my commitment so that the one Church of Christ may breath more deeply with its two lungs.'

The Holy Father recalls that his predecessor Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Atenagoras 'began the dialogue of charity which led to the dialogue of truth.' Over the years, he continues, 'our relations have demonstrated the spirit of family that unites us and that, despite difficulties, allows us to progress toward the goal that Christ gave us and that our predecessors committed themselves vigorously to reach.'

'We can say,' he continues, 'that we live under the sign of the Cross and in hope for peace. We are full of hope that the Lord will carry out the work of re-establishing the unity that He inspired. For her part, the Church of Rome will maintain the irreversible decision of Vatican Council II which embraced this cause and duty. We are certain that the Lord will give us one day, when He wants, the joy of being in full communion and in the visible unity that He wants for His holy Church.'

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