CONGRESS OF ACADEMY FOR LIFE TO BE PRESENTED ON TUESDAY

VATICAN CITY, FEB 16, 2007 (VIS) - In the Holy See Press Office at 11.30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 20, a press conference will be held to present an international congress entitled "Christian conscience in support of the right to life." Promoted by the Pontifical Academy for Life, the congress is due to be held in the Vatican on February 23 and 24.

  Participating in Tuesday's press conference will be Bishop Elio Sgreccia, president of the Pontifical Academy for Life; Bishop Anthony Fisher O.P., auxiliary of Sydney, Australia and professor of bioethics and moral theology at the John Paul II Institute in Sydney; Msgr. Jean Laffitte, vice president of the Pontifical Academy for Life and professor of anthropology and of conjugal spirituality at the John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family; Monica Lopez Barahona, biologist, professor of bioethics and director of the bioethical institute at the University of Francisco de Vitoria, Madrid, Spain.
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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, FEB 16, 2007 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

 - Six prelates from the Italian Episcopal Conference on their "ad limina" visit:

    - Archbishop Francesco Marinelli of Urbino-Urbania-Sant'Angelo in Vado.

    - Archbishop Pietro Coccia of Pesaro.

    - Bishop Gervasio Gestori of San Benedetto del Tronto-Ripatransone-Montalto.

    - Bishop Vittorio Tomassetti of Fano-Fossombrone-Cagli-Pergola

    - Msgr. Pietro Spernanzoni, apostolic administrator of Macerata-Tolentino-Recanati-Cingoli-Treia.

    - Bishop Arduino Bertoldo of Foligno.

  This evening he is scheduled to receive in audience Cardinal William Joseph Levada, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, FEB 16, 2007 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Bishop Albert D'Souza of Lucknow, India, as archbishop of Agra (area 49,162, population 27,173,476, Catholics 12,750, priests 66, religious 269), India. The archbishop-elect was born in Moodubelle, India in 1945, he was ordained a priest in 1974, and consecrated a bishop in 1993.
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COMMUNIQUE ON THE VISIT OF THE PRESIDENT OF KOREA

VATICAN CITY, FEB 15, 2007 (VIS) - Today in the Vatican, Benedict XVI received in audience Roh Moo-hyun, president of the Republic of Korea, accompanied by his wife and an entourage, according to a communique released today by the Holy See Press Office.

  "The president" the communique reads, "then went on to meet Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B. During their discussions, mention was made of the cordial relations between the Holy See and the Republic of Korea, as well as of the understanding and cooperation that exist between the Catholic Church and the civil authorities.

  "Attention turned to the political and social situation of eastern Asia and, in particular, to the evolution of the process of reconciliation on the Korean peninsula and to the respect and promotion of human rights in that region."
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POPE PRAYS FOR REUNION OF FAMILIES IN KOREA

VATICAN CITY, FEB 15, 2007 (VIS) - During the course of his meeting today in the Vatican with Roh Moo-hyun, president of the Republic of Korea, the Pope gave his guest a Letter, written in English, in which he affirms that the visit "serves to strengthen the good relations that exist between [Korea] and the Holy See," and that it "is also a clear sign of [the president's] esteem for the Catholic Church.

  "I would ask you," the Holy Father adds, "to convey my affectionate greetings to the people of Korea, and to assure them of my prayers for peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and throughout the region.

  "For over fifty years, the Korean people have suffered the consequences of division. Families have been split, close relatives have been separated from one another. ... I pray for a speedy solution to the problem which impedes so many from communicating with one another."

  Pope Benedict's Letter continues: "Sadly, the modem world is marked by an increasing number of threats to the dignity of human life. I wish therefore to commend all those in your country who work to uphold and defend the sanctity of life, marriage and the family, areas in which, as you know, the Catholic Church in Korea is particularly active.

  "The risk of a nuclear arms race in the region is a further source of concern, fully shared by the Holy See. I urge all interested parties to make every effort to resolve the present tensions through peaceful means and to refrain from any gesture or initiative that might endanger the negotiations, while ensuring that the most vulnerable part of the North Korean population has access to humanitarian aid."

  "Your country," the Holy Father concludes, "has experienced remarkable economic growth in recent times. ... At the same time, I am conscious that not all citizens are yet able to benefit fully from this increased prosperity. I therefore urge your government to work in harmony with all those who seek to promote the common good and social justice."
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