Holy Fathers current activities

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PAPAL PROGRAM FOR YESTERDAY AND COMING DAYS

VATICAN CITY, APR 21, 2005 (VIS) - Yesterday afternoon, Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls released the following declaration to journalists:

"This morning, the Holy Father Benedict XVI visited the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith where, in the course of a very cordial meeting, he greeted the men and women who collaborated with him in that dicastery.

"He then entered the papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace, removing the seals.

"The Holy Father invited some of his collaborators in the Roman Curia to lunch in the 'Domus Sanctae Marthae,' deciding on some of his forthcoming engagements:

"Friday morning: a meeting with all cardinals present in Rome.

"Saturday morning: a meeting with journalists and with social communications workers.

"In the afternoon, the Holy Father returned to the apartment in which he used to live in Piazza della Citta Leonina.

"As previously announced, at 10 a.m. on Sunday April 24, Benedict XVI will preside at the Eucharist for the solemn inauguration of his pontificate.

"On the morning of Monday April 25, he will receive official delegations who have arrived for the inaugural ceremony of his pontificate.

"The Holy Father has decided to remain for the moment in the apartment of the Domus Sanctae Marthae."
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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, APR 21, 2005 (VIS) - The Holy Father:

- Appointed Cardinal Angelo Sodano, titular of the suburbicarian church of Albano, as secretary of State.

- Confirmed "donec aliter provideatur" the cardinals and archbishops who head dicasteries of the Roman Curia, and the president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State.

- Confirmed Archbishop Leonardo Sandri as substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State.

- Confirmed Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo as secretary for Relations with States of the Secretariat of State.

- Confirmed the current secretaries of dicasteries of the Roman Curia for the current five-year period.
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Anglican Primate to Attend Papal Inauguration


LONDON, APRIL 21, 2005 (Zenit.org).- For the first time since the Reformation, the Anglican archbishop of Canterbury plans to attend the solemn start of a pontificate -- that of Benedict XVI this Sunday in Rome.

Lambeth Palace's press office revealed that Rowan Williams plans to attend the inauguration in St. Peter's Square. It said that the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity indicated its "great delight" that he will be attending.

The Anglican archbishop indicated that he will again be wearing the ring presented to his predecessor, Michael Ramsey, by Pope Paul VI and a pectoral cross presented to him by John Paul II.

Dr. Williams will travel to Rome on Saturday. Earlier this week, the archbishop of Canterbury offered his best wishes and prayers for Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger on his election as successor to Pope John Paul II.

"We wish Pope Benedict XVI every blessing in the immense responsibilities he is about to assume on behalf of Roman Catholics round the world," said Dr. Williams. "I look forward to meeting him and working together to build on the legacy of his predecessor, as we seek to promote shared understanding between our Churches in the service of the Gospel and the goal of Christian unity."
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Russian Catholics Invite Pope to Visit


MOSCOW, APRIL 21, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Catholic Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz of the Archdiocese of the Mother of God of Moscow has invited the newly Pope Benedict XVI to visit Russia.

A message sent to the Holy Father expresses "the hope of a visit of yours to Russia … to reaffirm us in the faith and to develop the dialogue with the Russian Orthodox Church."

"I wish to assure you, Holiness, that Russian Catholics will support you with their prayers and will ask the Lord to give you the physical and spiritual strength" to realize "the difficult mission that has been entrusted to you," he adds.

Archbishop Kondrusiewicz also wrote a letter, which will be read in parishes during next Sunday's Mass, in which he mentions that some books of then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, such as "Introduction to Christianity," are very popular in Russia.

The prelate believes that Benedict XVI will help the Church of today "to find the remedy against the pernicious influence of secularism and relativism."
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China Lays Down Terms for Vatican Ties


BEIJING, APRIL 21, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Premier Wen Jiabao said that China is willing to build relations with the Vatican only if Benedict XVI breaks ties with rival Taiwan, the Associated Press reported.

''China maintains that it is willing to build relations with the Vatican based on two principles: The Vatican must recognize that there is only one China in the world, and the Vatican can't interfere in China's internal affairs,'' Wen said at a news conference today with a visiting French official.

Wen's reference to ''one China'' was based on Beijing's insistence that Taiwan is part of its territory.
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E-mail Savvy: Benedictxvi@vatican.va


VATICAN CITY, APRIL 21, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Newly elected Pope Benedict XVI already has an e-mail address.

The address which was just announced by the Holy See's Internet office is benedictxvi@vatican.va. The address in Italian is benedettoxvi@vatican.va.

Benedict XVI is following in the footsteps of his predecessor John Paul II, who, thanks to a portable computer, on Nov. 22, 2001, promulgated online the postsynodal apostolic exhortation "Ecclesia in Oceania."

John Paul II also used e-mail to receive messages from the faithful worldwide.
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Benedict XVI's Address to Cardinals
"I Beg You, Never Fail to Give Me Your Support!"

VATICAN CITY, APRIL 22, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI delivered to the cardinals present in Rome, when receiving them today in audience.

* * *

Venerated Brother Cardinals!

1. I am meeting with you today as I would like to share, in a simple and fraternal way, the state of spirit I am living these days. After the intense emotions caused by the death of my venerated predecessor John Paul II, and then during the conclave and above all its epilogue, I perceive a profound need for silence and two complementary sentiments: an intense heartfelt gratitude and a sense of human impotence before the enormous undertaking that awaits me.

First of all, gratitude. I feel, in the first place, the need to render thanks to God, who willed me, despite my human frailty, as successor to the Apostle Peter, and has entrusted me with the task to govern and guide the Church, so that she will be a sacrament of unity in the world for the whole human race (cf. "Lumen Gentium," No. 1). We are certain, that the eternal Shepherd leads his flock with the strength of his Spirit, supporting it, at all times, with Shepherds chosen by him.

In these days the unanimous prayer of the Christian people was raised for the new Pontiff, and the first meeting with the faithful in St. Peter's Square the day before yesterday in the evening was truly moving: To all bishops, priests, men and women religious, young people and elderly I express my heartfelt gratitude for their spiritual solidarity.

2. I feel the need to express my profound gratitude to each one of you, venerated brothers, beginning with Cardinal Angelo Sodano who, on behalf of all of you, expressed to me a short while ago your sentiments of affection and cordial good wishes. With him, I thank the cardinal chamberlain, Eduardo Cardinal Martínez Somalo, for the service generously rendered in this delicate phase of transition.

I then wish to extend my sincere gratitude to all the members of the College of Cardinals for their active collaboration in the administration of the Church during the vacancy of the see.

With special affection I wish to greet the cardinals who, for reasons of age or illness, did not take part in the conclave. I am grateful to each one for the example they gave of availability and fraternal communion, as well as for their intense prayer and expressions of faithful love of the Church, bride of Christ.

I cannot but express my profound thanks, moreover, to all those who with different functions, cooperated in the organization and development of the conclave, helping the cardinals in many ways to spend these days, charged with responsibility, in the most safe and tranquil way.

3. Venerated brothers, to you my most personal gratitude for the trust you placed in me, electing me Bishop of Rome and Shepherd of the universal Church. It is an act of trust that constitutes encouragement to undertake this new mission with more serenity, because in addition to the indispensable help of God, I am convinced that I am also able to count on your generous collaboration. I beg you, never fail to give me your support!

If on one hand I am conscious of the limits of my person and my ability, on the other I am well aware of the nature of the mission that has been entrusted to me and that I set out to undertake with an attitude of interior devotion. It is not a question of honors, but of service to be carried out with simplicity and availability, imitating our teacher and Lord, who did not come to be served but to serve (cf. Matthew 20:28), and who in the Last Supper washed the feet of the apostles, asking them to do the same (cf. John 13:13-14).

Therefore, all that remains now is for me and all of us together to accept from providence the will of God and to do our best to correspond to it, helping one another in the fulfillment of our respective duties at the service of the Church.

4. I treasure at this moment going back in thought to my venerated predecessors, Blessed John XXIII, the servants of God Paul VI and John Paul I and especially John Paul II, whose testimony in days gone by has sustained us more than ever, and whose ever living presence we continue to feel. The painful event of his death, after a period of great trials and sufferings, was revealed in fact with paschal characteristics, as he hoped in his testament (24.II - 1.III.1980). The light and strength of the risen Christ were irradiated in the Church in that sort of "last Mass" that he celebrated in his agony, culminating in the "Amen" of a life totally given, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, for the salvation of the world.

5. Venerated brothers! Each one will now return to his respective See to take up his work again, but spiritually we will remain united in faith and love of the Lord, in the bond of the Eucharistic celebration, in constant prayer and in sharing daily the apostolic ministry.

Your spiritual closeness, your enlightened counsels and your energetic cooperation will be a gift to me for which I shall always be grateful and a stimulus to fulfill the mandate entrusted to me with total fidelity and devotion.

To the Virgin Mother of God, who with her silent presence supported the steps of the nascent Church, and comforted the faith of the apostles, I commend all of us and the expectations, hopes and concerns of the whole community of Christians. Under Mary's maternal protection, Mater Ecclesiae, I invite you to journey in docility and obedience to the voice of her divine Son and our Lord Jesus Christ. Invoking her constant support, I impart from my heart the apostolic blessing to every one of you and to all those whom Divine Providence has entrusted to your pastoral care.

[Original text: Italian; translation by ZENIT]

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Benedict XVI Sends Message to Chief Rabbi of Rome


VATICAN CITY, APRIL 22, 2005 (Zenit.org).- One of Benedict XVI's first messages was to Riccardo di Segni, chief rabbi of Rome, in which the new Pope commits himself to reinforce the dialogue with the Jewish people.

The telegram, sent Wednesday, was in response to the rabbi's note of congratulations in which he expressed the hope that Benedict XVI's pontificate will serve to continue "a fruitful dialogue in respect of diversity."

After receiving the Holy Father's message, di Segni said: "I am pleased and grateful for this timely, important and significant message."

The Pope's message follows:

"May the Lord have mercy and bless us; may his light shine upon us. On April 19, 2005, the cardinals of the Holy Roman Church elected me Bishop of Rome and Pastor of the universal Catholic Church. In announcing my election and the solemn inauguration of my pontificate, on Sunday, April 24, at 10 o'clock, I trust in the help of the Almighty to continue with the dialogue and to reinforce collaboration with the sons and daughters of the Jewish people. Vatican, April 20, 2005, Benedictus XVI."
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Tomb of Apostle Paul to Be Visited by Pope


VATICAN CITY, APRIL 22, 2005 (Zenit.org).- The day after his official inauguration, Benedict XVI will visit the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, the Holy See announced.

The new Pope wishes to visit the tomb of the Apostle Paul on Monday afternoon "to express the inseparable bond of the Church of Rome with the Apostle of the Gentiles together with the fisherman from Galilee," reported the Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity concludes in this basilica each year.
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60,000 Send E-mails to Benedict XVI


VATICAN CITY, APRIL 22, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Of the 60,000 messages that Benedict XVI has received in less than 48 hours, more than half -- 31,000 -- were written in English.

The next biggest language group were in Italian (13,000) and Spanish (6,000).

The messages, sent to benedictxvi@vatican.va and other similar addresses, were also written in German, Portuguese and French.

Striking among the messages are some from nonbelievers who request prayers. Others are from Catholics who assure their prayers and thank the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger for having accepted the mission to be Pope.

There are also messages from young people, who wish him "all the best."
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German Pilgrims Flocking to Rome


VATICAN CITY, APRIL 22, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Some 100,000 Germans will attend the solemn inauguration Mass of Benedict XVI's pontificate on Sunday, say tourist organizations.

Virtually all plane and train tickets from Germany to Rome are sold out.

The official German delegation will leave by plane on Saturday. It will include German President Horst Köhler, Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and Interior Minister Otto Schily.

Joaquín Navarro Valls, director of the Vatican press office, revealed that on Monday morning the new Pope, the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, will receive the German pilgrims in Paul VI Hall.

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Jeb Bush to Lead U.S. Delegation at Inaugural Mass


WASHINGTON, D.C., APRIL 22, 2005 (Zenit.org).- President George Bush is sending his brother, Florida Governor Jeb Bush, as part of the official U.S. delegation to the inaugural Mass of Pope Benedict XVI, the White House announced.

Jeb Bush, a convert to Catholicism, will head the presidential delegation that includes Michael Steele, lieutenant governor of the state of Maryland; and Carl Anderson, chief executive officer of the Knights of Columbus.

Two accompanying members of the delegation are Helen Alvaré, associate professor of law, Catholic University of America; and Frank Hanley, retired president of the International Union of Operating Engineers, the White House said today.

The inaugural Mass for Benedict XVI, the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, will be held this Sunday in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.
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Iranian President Pleased by Benedict XVI's Election


TEHRAN, Iran, APRIL 22, 2005 (Zenit.org).- The president of Iran said that he is "absolutely happy" with the election of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as Benedict XVI.

In a message released today, wished the new Pope "every success in the promotion of peace, freedom and justice, as well as in the contribution to build a better world, following the humanitarian, liberating and impartial teachings of Jesus Christ."

Khatami said he favors dialogue between the various religions to "reinforce faith and morality both among communities as well as individuals."

The Iranian president attended John Paul II's funeral Mass on April 8.
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INTERVIEW

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World Council of Churches Ready for Ecumenical Dialogue
Interview With Secretary-General Samuel Kobia

GENEVA, APRIL 22, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI's desire to promote Christian unity and encourage continued ecumenical dialogue will find support in the World Council of Churches, said the council's secretary-general.

In an interview with ZENIT, the Reverend Samuel Kobia comments on the new Pope's expressed commitment to work toward the reconstruction of "full and visible unity of Christians."

Married and the father of four, he is an ordained minister of the Methodist Church of Kenya. He will visit the Vatican soon.

The World Council of Churches brings together 347 denominations and ecclesial communities in more than 100 countries and territories, representing some 400 million Christians. The Catholic Church is not a member but maintains cooperative relations with the council.

Q: The Pope has assumed as his "primary commitment" to work for the reconstruction of the "full and visible unity of Christians." I imagine that this must fill you with joy.

Reverend Kobia: I am certainly very happy that Benedict XVI puts so high on the agenda of his priorities the "full and visible unity of Christians," which is the ultimate objective of the ecumenical movement and the "raison d'être" of the World Council of Churches.

If I were to articulate my personal "wish list" for this pontificate, topping the list would be a renewed commitment on the part of the Roman Catholic Church to the ecumenical openness of the Second Vatican Council, whose vision of the Church opened itself up to the ecclesial values present among Christians of other traditions.

If Benedict XVI wishes to go forward in deepening relations and cooperation with other Christian Churches, and in exploring new ways that might bring us closer to an ever more perfect communion, he will find in the World Council of Churches a partner that is ready to go with him as far as he wishes.

Q: Benedict XVI is conscious of the fact that "good sentiments are not enough, rather concrete gestures." What concrete gesture do you expect from the Pope in the area of ecumenism?

Reverend Kobia: A categorical recognition that among the so-called ecclesial communities, there are churches that must be recognized as such. This would be a concrete gesture in the direction I have just mentioned.

This should go hand in hand with recognition of the different local ecclesial realities. Within the Roman Catholic community itself, there are local Churches that would be ready to take concrete steps on topics such as mixed marriages and eucharistic hospitality. It would be very welcome if the Pope empowered and encouraged local Churches to advance ecumenically according to their own realities.

Another concrete gesture, equally important, would be a new readiness to seek together answers to the most burning issues of our time, such as violence, injustice, poverty and the HIV/AIDS pandemic, which devastates so many lives. The latter, especially, is a human tragedy of such magnitude that it is indispensable that the churches work together to look for ways to address it from a moral point of view.

The transmission of the spiritual resources of Churches to a broken world must be an ecumenical and pastoral priority.

Q: "Theological dialogue is necessary, but above all there must be a purification of memory," said Benedict XVI. What do you think the Pope was referring to?

Reverend Kobia: Of course I cannot speak for him, but I think that to heal the wounds, which persist in memories, of a past marked by mutual condemnations and discrediting is essential for a meeting between sisters and brothers in Christ.

It is only possible if the Churches engage in real dialogue, in a spirit of humility and conversion, in a dialogue in truth and love, that allows us to share with one another the gifts that our common Lord Jesus Christ has entrusted to us.

Q: Pope Joseph Ratzinger wishes to promote contacts and understanding with representatives of various churches and ecclesial communities. Have you already thought of inviting him to the World Council of Churches, or of requesting an interview with him in Rome, for example?

Reverend Kobia: In fact, my first visit to the Vatican, in my capacity as secretary-general of the World Council of Churches, was already on the agenda for the middle of this year but, naturally, it had to be postponed.

I am confident that it will be concretized very soon, and I wait with great expectation to meet the Pope.

As regards inviting him to the headquarters of the World Council of Churches in Geneva, two of his predecessors visited us, Paul VI in 1969 and John Paul II in 1984. Therefore, without a doubt we would be ready to give him the most cordial welcome in our house when the appropriate moment comes, if he decides to grant us the honor of visiting us.
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Pope Benedict Says He Wants a `Fruitful' Rapport With the Media
April 23 (Bloomberg) -- Pope Benedict XVI, in his first address to the press, said he would cultivate his relationship with the media, which has focused the world's attention on Vatican during the past few weeks.

``One can say that thanks to your work, for several weeks the attention of the entire world was focused on the Basilica, on St. Peter's Square, and the Apostolic palace,'' the pontiff said at the Vatican today. Referring to Pope John Paul II's rapport with the media, Benedict said: ``I wish to continue this fruitful dialogue.''

Pope Benedict spoke to a packed ``audience'' in a Vatican auditorium, the first direct address to the world's news organizations since the beginning of John Paul II's papacy in 1978. He spoke in four languages during his 13-minute speech -- Italian, English, French and German -- and then blessed the crowd.

The attention of much of the world's media has been trained on Vatican City since Pope John Paul's medical condition took a turn for the worse on March 31. Pope John Paul II was considered the most media savvy pontiff in the history of the Catholic Church. Benedict, 78, was for more than two decades in charge of enforcing his predecessor John Paul II's orthodox doctrine.

Pope Benedict takes over with the task of uniting the world's 1 billion Catholics who are divided between those who supported John Paul's conservative positions and those seeking change on issues such as contraception and female priests.

In his first papal address a day after election, Benedict reached out to the faithful with references to the 1960s Second Vatican Council, which strived to make the 2,000-year-old Catholic Church more relevant to the young. Benedict also alluded to the need for the Vatican to delegate more power to local dioceses.

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pics from the inaugural mass

[url="http://www.reisenzeigen.de/Berichte/1343"]http://www.reisenzeigen.de/Berichte/1343[/url]


pics from Pope saluting the masses

[url="http://www.reisenzeigen.de/Berichte/1351"]http://www.reisenzeigen.de/Berichte/1351[/url]


pics from the Vatican

[url="http://www.reisenzeigen.de/Berichte/1352"]http://www.reisenzeigen.de/Berichte/1352[/url]

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I love how he is using the Crucifix Crosier...

Totus Tuus,
Andrew Joseph

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GENERAL AUDIENCE: POPE TELLS WHY HE CHOSE NAME OF BENEDICT

VATICAN CITY, APR 27, 2005 (VIS) - In his first general audience, which was held this morning in St. Peter's Square in the presence of 15,000 people, the Pope again gave thanks to God for having elected him as Peter's successor, and explained why he chose the name of Benedict.

The Holy Father spoke of the feelings he was experiencing at the beginning of his ministry: "awe and gratitude to God, Who surprised me more than anyone in calling me to succeed the Apostle Peter; and interior trepidation before the greatness of the task and the responsibilities which have been entrusted to me. However, I draw serenity and joy from the certainty of God's help, that of His most Holy Mother the Virgin Mary, and of the patron saints. I also feel supported by the spiritual closeness of all the people of God whom, as I repeated last Sunday, I continue to ask to accompany me with persistent prayer."

"Resuming the Wednesday general audiences," he went on, "I wish to speak of the name I chose on becoming bishop of Rome and pastor of the universal Church. I chose to call myself Benedict XVI ideally as a link to the venerated Pontiff, Benedict XV, who guided the Church through the turbulent times of the First World War. He was a true and courageous prophet of peace who struggled strenuously and bravely, first to avoid the drama of war and then to limit its terrible consequences. In his footsteps I place my ministry, in the service of reconciliation and harmony between peoples, profoundly convinced that the great good of peace is above all a gift of God, a fragile and precious gift to be invoked, safeguarded and constructed, day after day and with everyone's contribution.

"The name Benedict also evokes the extraordinary figure of the great 'patriarch of western monasticism,' St. Benedict of Norcia, co-patron of Europe with Cyril and Methodius. The progressive expansion of the Benedictine Order which he founded exercised an enormous influence on the spread of Christianity throughout the European continent. For this reason, St. Benedict is much venerated in Germany, and especially in Bavaria, my own land of origin; he constitutes a fundamental point of reference for the unity of Europe and a powerful call to the irrefutable Christian roots of European culture and civilization."

The Pope appealed to St. Benedict for help "to hold firm Christ's central position in our lives. May he always be first in our thoughts and in all our activities!"

Before concluding, Benedict XVI announced that, just as at the beginning of his pontificate John Paul II had continued the reflections on Christian virtues begun by Pope John Paul I, in coming weekly audiences he would resume "the comments prepared by John Paul II on the second part of the Psalms and Canticles, which are part of Vespers. From next Wednesday, I will begin precisely from where his catechesis was interrupted after the general audience of January 26."

The Holy Father read out brief summaries of his catechesis, which he had delivered in Italian, in various other languages: English, French, Spanish and German. He then gave brief greetings to various groups in Croatian, Slovenian and Polish and concluded by addressing the 1,000 faithful from the archdiocese of Spoleto-Norcia, Italy, who were accompanied by Archbishop Riccardo Fontana.
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3 Cardinals Invite Pope to Visit India


NEW DELHI, India, MAY 2, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI has special interest in India and its culture and in continuing dialogue with other religions, says Cardinal Telesphore Toppo.

The archbishop of Ranchi and president of the country's episcopal conference confirmed that he and the two other Indian electors in the recent conclave -- Cardinals Varkey Vithayathil and Ivan Dias -- have invited the new Pope to India.

"But he may not visit very soon. It will depend on his engagements," he clarified.

In a statement published by the Indian episcopal conference, Cardinal Toppo said that he "had the opportunity to meet the new Pope personally three times after his election."

"I am proud to say that on the three occasions, Pope Benedict XVI showed keen interest in India and its rich heritage," he noted.

To the question about the future of interreligious dialogue under the new papacy, Cardinal Toppo said it would continue without hindrance.

The cardinal described the new Pope as an "intellectual giant," and yet a "very humble and simple" person. Moreover, the Indian prelate said Benedict XVI's election in such a short period of time "is a sign of the unity of the Church throughout the world."
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BENEDICT XVI RECEIVES ITALIAN PRESIDENT CIAMPI

VATICAN CITY, MAY 3, 2005 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls released the following declaration to journalists today following the visit this morning by Italian President Ciampi to the Holy Father:

"Pope Benedict XVI this morning received the president of the Italian Republic, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, accompanied by his wife. Among the members of the official delegation was Foreign Minister Gianfranco Fini.

"It was a very cordial meeting which allowed for an exchange of ideas on the bilateral relations between Italy and the Holy See.

"In the course of the meeting, several themes regarding the European situation were discussed.

"At the end of the visit to the Holy Father, President Ciampi was received by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of State."

Navarro-Valls added that "the Holy Father Benedict XVI, readily accepting the courteous invitation of President Ciampi, will make an official visit to the Quirinale (Italian presidential palace) on Friday June 24, 2005."
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POPE BENEDICT TO BE INSTALLED AS BISHOP OF ROME ON MAY 7

VATICAN CITY, MAY 3, 2005 (VIS) - On Saturday, May 7 at 5.30 p.m. the Holy Father Benedict XVI will preside at a Eucharistic celebration at St. John Lateran Basilica on the occasion of his taking possession of the Chair of the Bishop of Rome, according to an announcement from Archbishop Piero Marini, Master of the Liturgical Ceremonies of the Supreme Pontiff.

The ecclesial community of Rome will be present at the Mass on Saturday to welcome its new bishop, Benedict XVI, to the basilica of the Most Holy Savior, "Mother and Head of all Churches." Cardinals present in Rome, members of the Diocesan Episcopal Council, the canons of the Lateran Basilica and the Council of Pastor Prefects will concelebrate with the Holy Father.

Following the celebration at St. John Lateran, the Pope will go to the basilica of St. Mary Major to venerate the "Salus Populi Romani" icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, MAY 3, 2005 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:

- Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, president of the Italian Republic, accompanied by his wife and an entourage.

- Cardinal Lubomyr Husar, major archbishop of Lviv of the Ukrainians, Ukraine.

- Archbishop William Joseph Levada of San Francisco, U.S.A.

- Two prelates from the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Sri Lanka, on their 'ad limina' visit:

- Bishop Thomas Savundaranayagam of Jaffna.

- Bishop Joseph Vianney Fernando of Kandy.
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