APPEAL FOR VICTIMS OF CENTRAL AMERICAN EARTHQUAKE

VATICAN CITY, JAN 14, 2001 (VIS) - At the end of the angelus today, John Paul II made an appeal for the victims of yesterday's devastating earthquake in Central America:

"News has arrived, over the last few hours, of a disastrous earthquake that hit Central America causing numerous victims, especially in El Salvador, as well as hundreds of injured and vast material damage. I wish to express my spiritual closeness to the peoples hit by the tremor in that region which is so dear to me. While raising a heartfelt prayer to the Lord for the victims, I give my warmest encouragement to the survivors, in the hope that the shared concern of the international community may move them to help. May this solidarity produce the help necessary to relieve the consequences of the tragedy."

Today, Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano sent a telegram in the Pope's name to Archbishop Fernando Saenz Lacalle of San Salvador and president of the Episcopal Conference of El Salvador.

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DECLARATION ON VISIT OF RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER

VATICAN CITY, JAN 15, 2001 (VIS) - The following declaration was made this morning by Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls on the visit to the Holy Father by Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov:

"This morning, the Holy Father received in audience Igor Sergheevich Ivanov, foreign minister of the Russian Federation. The meeting took place in an atmosphere of great cordiality.

"Following the papal audience, Mr. Ivanov met Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano and Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, secretary for Relations with States.

"In the course of the meeting, bilateral themes were considered, with particular attention given to the life of Catholic communities in the Russian Federation.

"Opinions were also exchanged concerning the international situation, and there was a convergence between the Holy See and the Russian Federation on many points, particularly regarding the complex situation in the Middle East. This exchange of points of view also provided an opportunity to explain the Holy See's well-known position on Jerusalem."

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POPE THANKS ITALIAN AND VATICAN POLICE FOR WORK DURING JUBILEE

VATICAN CITY, JAN 15, 2001 (VIS) - Pope John Paul today welcomed 110 members of Italian and Vatican security forces and thanked them both for the gift of a Cross which they gave him this morning as well as for the additional work they took on during the Jubilee Year 2000.

"Thank God," began the Pope, "the intense Jubilee days took place without any serious episodes of disorder or danger. Rather, the dominant climate was without doubt that of serenity. And precisely for this reason I feel I must give due credit to the security forces who knew how to prevent and to be vigilant, benefitting everyone."

The Pope then referred to some of the special Holy Year events, "such as World Youth Day, the Jubilee of Families, of Workers, of the Disabled and so many other Jubilee appointments," and said "I realize how many difficulties you had to face. I saw you collaborate with intelligence and generosity with the Jubilee volunteers."

The Holy Father said he hoped they "were able to experience positively the climate of faith and Christian joy which Rome lived in an intense way in recent months. ... The Jubilee is over, but an indelible sign remains in our hearts. Nothing can be as it was before!"

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SETTING OUT ANEW FROM CHRIST, THE HEART OF THE JUBILEE LEGACY

VATICAN CITY, JAN 15, 2001 (VIS) - This morning in the Consistory Hall, John Paul II received the community of Rome's diocesan seminary, "Almo Collegio Capranica," for the occasion of the feast of their patroness, St. Agnes, which falls on January 21.

The Pope invited the seminarians to reflect upon the Apostolic Letter "Novo millennio ineunte," which he signed at the end of the Jubilee Year, in order for it be of help on "your personal and community journey. I especially wish to suggest that you give profound thought to what I consider as the essential core of the Jubilee legacy: commitment to set out anew from Christ. Is not contemplating the face of Christ the heart of all the human, cultural and spiritual formation to which you are dedicated as candidates to ordained ministry?"

"Setting out anew from Christ. That is the program you must follow in this initial stage of the new millennium. ... In this endeavor we are sustained by the example and intercession of countless saints and martyrs who, through 20 centuries of history, have remained faithful to Christ. ... Among them, your patroness, St. Agnes, is particularly dear to you."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JAN 15, 2001 (VIS) - The Holy Father accepted:

- The resignation from the pastoral care of the archdiocese of New York, U.S.A., presented by Auxiliary Bishop Patrick J. Sheridan upon having reached the age limit.

- The resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Trier, Federal Republic of Germany, presented by Bishop Hermann Josef Spital, upon having reached the age limit.

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