TRIBUTE TO THE STATUE OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY IN PIAZZA DI SPAGNA

PRAYER OF JOHN PAUL II

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Wednesday, 8 December 2004

Immaculate Virgin!
Once again we are here to honour you, at the foot of this column
from which you lovingly watch
over Rome and the whole world,
ever since, 150 years ago,
Bl. Pius IX proclaimed
as a truth of the Catholic faith
your preservation from
every stain of sin
in anticipation of the
death and Resurrection
of your Son, Jesus Christ.

ADDRESS TO POPE JOHN PAUL II
TO H.E. Mr PABLO MORAN VAL
NEW AMBASSADOR FROM THE
REPUBLIC OF PERU TO THE HOLY SEE

Tuesday, 7 December 2004

Mr Ambassador,

I am pleased to receive you for the presentation of the Letters accrediting you as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Peru to the Holy See. I offer you a cordial welcome and thank you for your kind words. Please convey to H.E. Mr Alejandro Toledo Manrique, President of the Republic, my gratitude for his greeting, in which the beloved Peruvian People join him. I deeply appreciate it and reciprocate by invoking upon them every kind of good.
Collaboration of Church and State.

ADDRESS OF JOHN PAUL II
TO THE MEMBERS
OF THE INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY

Tuesday, 7 December 2004

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. I welcome you very warmly to this meeting which has a high symbolic value. Thank you for your distinguished presence. I greet each one of you, eminent members of the international scientific community.

I greet the Authorities and representatives of the public institutions. In particular, I greet Prof. Antonino Zichichi and thank him for his words on behalf of all.

ADDRESS OF JOHN PAUL II
TO H.E. MR ALGIRDAS SAUDARGAS
AMBASSADOR OF LITHUANIA TO THE HOLY SEE

Monday, 6 December 2004

Mr Ambassador,

It is a cause of great joy for me to receive the Letters with which the Republic of Lithuania accredits you as its Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Holy See. Welcome!

ADDRESS OF JOHN PAUL II
TO THE BISHOPS OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PROVINCES
OF LOUISVILLE, MOBILE AND NEW ORLEANS (U.S.A.)
ON THEIR "AD LIMINA" VISIT

Saturday, 4 December 2004

Dear Brother Bishops,

1. On the occasion of your quinquennial ad Limina visit, I extend a warm welcome to you, the Bishops of the ecclesiastical Provinces of Louisville, Mobile and New Orleans. As we continue our reflections on the ministry of governance entrusted to the successors of the Apostles, I would like today to consider some specific aspects of your relationship with the lay faithful.

ADDRESS OF JOHN PAUL II
TO THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE CONGRESS
OF THE VATICAN FOUNDATION
"CENTESIMUS ANNUS - PRO PONTIFICE"

Saturday, 4 December 2004

Your Eminence,

1. On the occasion of the Annual Congress of the Vatican Foundation Centesimus Annus - Pro Pontifice, I am pleased to address my cordial greeting to you and the members, with a special thought for the President, Count Lorenzo Rossi di Montelera.

ADDRESS OF JOHN PAUL II
ON THE OCCASION OF THE ASSEMBLY
OF THE ITALIAN FEDERATION OF CATHOLIC WEEKLIES

Friday, 3 December 2004

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

1. I am pleased to welcome you on the occasion of the Assembly of the Italian Federation of Catholic Weeklies, held every three years. I cordially greet all of you, representing approximately 150 diocesan newspapers, and your collaborators, and I extend my cordial thoughts to all your readers. In particular, I greet your President, Mons. Vincenzo Rini, and I thank him for his words on your behalf.

ADDRESS OF JOHN PAUL II
TO H.E. MR TEODORO OBIANG GUEMA MBASOGO
PRESIDENT OF EQUATORIAL GUINEA*

Thursday, 2 December 2004

Mr President,

Your visit affords me an opportunity to send a greeting to the beloved People of Guinea who are present so frequently in my thoughts and prayers.

ADDRESS OF JOHN PAUL II
TO THE SERVANTS OF SUFFERING

Thursday, 2 December 2004

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

1. I am pleased to offer a cordial greeting to all of you who have wished to pay this visit to the Successor of Peter on the 20th anniversary of the foundation of your Institute. Welcome!