HOLY FATHER SENDS CARDINAL LAGHI AS SPECIAL ENVOY TO U.S.

VATICAN CITY, MAR 1, 2003 (VIS) - The following statement was made this morning to journalists by Joaquin Navarro-Valls, director of the Holy See Press Office:

"In light of the Iraqi crisis, the Holy Father has named Cardinal Pio Laghi as his special envoy to meet with George W. Bush, president of the United States.
"The cardinal, who will leave Rome in coming days, will carry a message from the Holy Father and will have an opportunity to illustrate the position and initiatives undertaken by the Holy See to contribute to disarmament and peace in the Middle East."

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WORK IS INEXTRICABLY LINKED TO HUMAN DIGNITY

VATICAN CITY, MAR 1, 2003 (VIS) - The Pope today received 350 leaders of Olivetti Tecnost, recalling his trip to their offices in Ivrea in 1990 and noting that they "represent one of the industrial groups most involved in the current phase of reorganization and re-launching of the productive sectors of the Italian economy."

The Pope said that at this current time in history, marked by "contradictions and problems" but also by "innovative stimuli," it is "of fundamental importance to remember the strict bond that exists between work and the dignity of the person. ... It is a privileged occasion to reaffirm the centrality of man in the difference stages of planning, production, selling and the use of consumer goods."

The Holy Father spoke of the founder, Adriano Olivetti, "an esteemed entrepreneur who felt that work was a singular opportunity for human growth for everyone" as well as "a favorable occasion to create relationships of collaboration and solidarity among persons." He added that efforts to develop a business and to create new jobs will be "all the more efficacious when they are inspired by the ethical, cultural and religious principles of work."

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POPE WELCOMES ROMANIAN BISHOPS ON "AD LIMINA" VISIT

VATICAN CITY, MAR 1, 2003 (VIS) - The bishops of Romania, at the conclusion of their "ad limina" visit, were welcomed by the Holy Father this morning who recalled his visit to their country in May 1999 where he "experienced the intense affection of the Romanian people for the Pope."

In his discourse to them in their language, he underscored that the two rites of the Catholic Church in Romania "are a very active minority on the spiritual and social levels. I know that your communities work side by side with the Orthodox majority of the country, collaborating ... with a fraternal spirit and in reciprocal respect." He spoke of the important work of the Mixed Commission for Dialogue between the Greek-Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church of Romania.

The Holy Father then turned his attention to the important area of pastoral ministry for families, noting that there have been meetings in this regard with the Orthodox "for a common discernment of the problems that families are facing." Among these problems, he said, are "the fragility of couples, the consistent migration of young families to western countries, the subsequent entrusting of children to grandparents, the forced separation of spouses, above all when it is the mother who leaves to seek work, the broad practice of abortion, and birth control through methods contrary to the dignity of the human person."

"And how can we forget," remarked the Pope, "the sad heritage of the communist dictatorship even in your country as seen in the crisis of a Christian vision of life?" He stated that the Church's duty to evangelize is "immense," and stressed that, "in harmony with our brothers in the Romanian Orthodox Church, ... centers of formation for young people must be developed where they can know the common Gospel legacy, and then give witness to it in an incisive way in society."

John Paul II pointed to "the heroic witness of Romanian Catholics of both rites who underwent unspeakable suffering under the communist regime," naming especially Cardinal Alexandru Todea who died last year, and the seven bishops who were martyred and whose cause is underway for canonization. He emphasized that "if it is true that the Romanian people ... knew how to resist militant atheistic materialism, preserving the legacy of the Christian proclamation, now it is important to create in the hearts of the faithful this interior richness."

"Do not fear," the Pope told the Church in Romania. "God is blessing your efforts, and a witness of this is the consistent number of candidates to the priesthood in your seminaries."

He then turned to the question of the process of integrating Romania into the broader sphere of the European Union and institutions of the continent. He said this is a positive fact, but one not without risks, especially if Romania allows itself to forget its Christian heritage and to be "conditioned by consumerism and egotistical individualism." He urged Romanians to remember that they "not only have something to receive but they also have a rich spiritual, cultural and historical legacy to offer, benefitting the unity and vitality of the entire continent."

The Pope dedicated remarks to the urgency of achieving full unity among Christians, saying he "prays the Lord to make the blessed day come when Catholics and Orthodox can receive communion together at the same table."

He also spoke of the two traditions that have existed side by side for centuries, "the Latin rite and the Byzantine rite, which together make the face of your Church more beautiful. You almost work in a spiritual 'laboratory' where the riches of undivided Christianity can show all their strength and vitality."

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ASH WEDNESDAY: PRAYER AND FASTING FOR WORLD PEACE

VATICAN CITY, MAR 2, 2003 (VIS) - Pope John Paul reminded the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square today that Lent starts on Ash Wednesday, March 5, when "we undertake a penitential path towards Easter with a stronger commitment to prayer and fasting for peace, which has been put in doubt by growing threats of war."

He recalled that "last Sunday I announced this initiative that is intended to involve the faithful in a fervent prayer to Christ, Prince of Peace. Peace, in fact, is a gift of God that we must invoke with humble and insistent trust. Without giving in to difficulties, we must seek and pursue every possible path to avoid war, which always leads to mourning and grave consequences for everyone."

The Pope noted that not only prayer, but fasting for peace, must mark Ash Wednesday. Calling fasting "a penitential practice that calls for a deeper spiritual effort," he added that "with physical fasting ... the Christian prepares to follow Christ and to be His faithful witness in every circumstance. In addition, fasting helps us to better understand the difficulties and sufferings of so many of our brothers and sisters, oppressed by hunger, misery and war."
He urged Catholics "to live this day of prayer and fasting for peace with intense participation. ... We will ask for peace for the world, in particular for Iraq and the Holy Land, especially through reciting the Rosary, which will involve shrines and parishes, communities and families."

After praying the Angelus, John Paul II greeted pilgrims in Spanish, Portuguese and Italian. He had special words for the community of Romanian faithful in Rome, saluting them in their language and telling them that he "recalls with gratitude the warmth with which I was welcomed four years ago in your land. I encourage you to persevere with fervor in Christian practice, making an effort to always be worthy of the rich spiritual traditions of your people."

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POPE JOHN PAUL'S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR MARCH 2003

VATICAN CITY, MAR 1, 2003 (VIS) - The Holy Father's general prayer intention for March is: "That each one the People of God and their Pastors, may grow in their realization of the importance of the sacrament of Reconciliation, the gift of God's merciful love."

His missionary intention is: "That the local Churches of Africa, in the midst of the difficult situations of the present moment may feel the urgency of announcing the Gospel coherently and courageously."

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