POPE RECEIVES THE PRESIDENT OF ALBANIA

Vatican City, 5 May 2012 (VIS) - This morning the Holy Father received in audience Bamir Topi, president of the Republic of Albania. The president subsequently went on to meet with Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B. who was accompanied by Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States.

A communique released by the Holy See Press Office states that, "during their cordial discussions the parties highlighted the good relations that exist between the Holy See and the Republic of Albania, and turned their attention to questions of mutual interest regarding relations between the ecclesial and civil communities, including inter-religious dialogue and the Church's contribution in the fields of education and social care. Consideration was also given to Albania's journey towards full integration into the European Union. Finally, the parties exchanged opinions on the current international and regional situation, with particular focus on the economic crisis".

CARDINAL SCHONBORN, SPECIAL PAPAL ENVOY TO PRAGUE CELEBRATIONS

Vatican City, 5 May 2012 (VIS) - Made public today was the letter by which the Holy Father appoints Cardinal Christoph Schonborn O.P., archbishop of Vienna, Austria, as his special envoy to celebrations marking the 450th anniversary of the formal renewal of the archbishopric of Prague, due to take place on 12 May.

In the text, written in Latin and dated 30 March, the Pope mentions the long centuries of Church activity in that region of Europe, evangelised by the brothers Cyril and Methodius and homeland to Blessed Ludmilla and St. Wenceslaus.

The cardinal will be accompanied on his mission by Fr. Benedikt Mohelnik O.P., provincial of the Dominican Province of Bohemia, and by Fr. Vojtech Novak, pastor and dean of Rakovnik, and director of the Pontifical Missionary Works for the archdiocese of Prague.

AUDIENCES

Vatican City, 7 May 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in audience:

- Eight prelates of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, on their "ad limina" visit:

- Archbishop Wilton Daniel Gregory of Atlanta, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama.

- Bishop Robert E. Guglielmone of Charleston, accompanied by Bishop emeritus David Bernard Thompson.

- Bishop Peter Joseph Jugis of Charlotte.

- Bishop Michael Francis Burbidge of Raleigh.

- Bishop Gregory John Hartmayer O.F.M. Conv. of Savannah, accompanied by Bishop emeritus John Kevin Boland.

- Ali Akbar Naseri, ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran, on his farewell visit.

On Saturday 5 May he received in audience:

- Archbishop Santo Gangemi, apostolic nuncio to Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, accompanied by members of his family.

- Cardinal Marc Ouellet P.S.S., prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

Vatican City, 7 May 2012 (VIS) - The Holy Father accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Ecatepec, Mexico, presented by Bishop Onesimo Cepeda Silva, upon having reached the age limit.

On Saturday 5 May it was made public that the Holy Father appointed Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun S.D.B., bishop emeritus of Hong Kong, China, as his special envoy to celebrations marking the centenary of the birth of Blessed Peter To Rot, catechist and martyr of Papua New Guinea, due to take place in Rabaul on 7 July.

STATES MUST ENSURE THAT LEGISLATION DOES NOT INCREASE SOCIAL INEQUALITY

Vatican City, 4 May 2012 (VIS) - This morning in the Vatican, Benedict XVI received five new non resident ambassadors to the Holy See: Teshome Toga Chanaka of Ethiopia, David Cooney of Ireland, Naivakarurubalavu Solo Mara of the Republic of Fiji, Viguen Tchitetchian of Armenia and Dato' Ho May Young, the first ambassador of Malaysia to the Holy See.

Excerpts from the Holy Father's French-language address to the diplomats is given below:

"The development of the communications media has, in some way, made our planet smaller. ... Awareness of the great suffering caused throughout the world by both material and spiritual poverty calls people to mobilise in order to face, in justice and solidarity, all threats to human beings, society and the environment".

"Exodus to the great cities, armed conflict, hunger and pandemics, which affect so many people, give rise to new forms of poverty in our time. The global economic crisis has caused an increasing number of families to live in precarious conditions. When the manufacture and increase of needs leads us to believe in the possibility of unlimited enjoyment and consumption, the lack of the means necessary to achieve these ends leads to frustration. ... When poverty coexists with enormous wealth, a sense of injustice arises which can become a source of rebellion. Therefore it is necessary for States to ensure that legislation does not increase social inequality and that people can live dignified lives".

"The development to which all nations aspire must involve human beings in their entirety, not just economic factors. ... Experiences such as micro-credit, and initiatives to create cooperative associations show that it is possible to harmonise economic objectives with social necessities, democratic government and respect for nature. It is also advisable to encourage manual work and to promote an agriculture which works in favour of local people, viewing these activities with the respect they deserve".

"In order to strengthen the human factor of social and political life, attention must given to another kind of poverty: the loss of reference to spiritual values and to God. This defect make it more difficult to distinguish good from evil, and to overcome personal interests in favour of the common good. States have a duty to promote their cultural and religious heritage, which contributes to the development of a nation, and to facilitate people's access thereto, because by familiarising ourselves with our history each of us is able to discover the roots of our own existence".

"Religion helps us to recognise others as brothers and sisters in humanity. Giving everyone the opportunity to know God, in complete freedom, is to help them forge a strong personality which will enable them to bear witness to good, and put it into effect even at great cost. In this way we will build a society in which sobriety and fraternity triumph over misery, indifference and selfishness, over exploitation and waste and, above all, over exclusion".