MESSAGE OF THE HOLY FATHER
JOHN PAUL II
TO THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE EASTER VIGIL MASS

Holy Saturday, 26 March 2005

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

At the end of the Lenten penitential journey and after having meditated in these last days on the sorrowful passion and dramatic death of Jesus on the Cross, we are celebrating on this singular night the glorious mystery of his Resurrection.

MESSAGE OF THE HOLY FATHER
JOHN PAUL II
TO THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE RITE
OF THE WAY OF THE CROSS

Colosseum
Good Friday, 25 March 2005

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I am with you in spirit at the Colosseum, a place that stirs up within me so many memories and emotions, in order to take part in the evocative rite of the Way of the Cross on this Good Friday evening.

MESSAGE OF THE HOLY FATHER
JOHN PAUL II
TO THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE CHRISM MASS

Holy Thursday, 24 March 2005

Dear Priests,
Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I join in spirit all of you who are gathered in the Vatican Basilica for the celebration of the solemn Chrism Mass. I greet Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who is presiding at the sacred rite, together with my Venerable Brothers, the Cardinals and Bishops. I greet you, dear priests of the Diocese of Rome, and you who come from so many other regions of the world. I greet you, dear deacons, dear men and women Religious and dear faithful who represent the entire People of God.

MESSAGE OF THE HOLY FATHER
JOHN PAUL II
TO THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE MASS OF THE LORD'S SUPPER

Holy Thursday, 24 March 2005

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

In my mind and heart I am close to you who have gathered at the tomb of the Apostle Peter for the Holy Mass of the Lord's Supper, the first event of the Easter Triduum and the crowning point of the liturgical year. I greet you with deep affection, and in particular I greet and thank Cardinal Alfonso López Trujillo, who is presiding at the solemn celebration. I address a special respectful thought to the Diplomatic Corps.

MESSAGE OF JOHN PAUL II
TO THE PARTICIPANTS
IN THE ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS "UNIV 2005"

Dear Young People,

1. I am delighted to offer a cordial welcome to all of you who have come from various parts of the world to take part in the annual Congress of UNIV. I greet each one of you with affection, and I ask you to make the most of the opportunity of your stay in Rome to grow in the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ. I greet those who accompany you; in a special way, I greet the Bishop Prelate of Opus Dei, Bishop Javier Echevarría Rodríguez, who is taking part in your meeting.

MESSAGE OF POPE JOHN PAUL II
TO H.E. MR LAWRENCE EDWARD CHEWNING FÁBREGA
AMBASSADOR OF PANAMA TO THE HOLY SEE*

17 March 2005

Mr Ambassador,

1. I am pleased to accredit you, Your Excellency, as Ambassador Extraordinary, and offer you my most cordial welcome at the beginning of the important mission that your Government has entrusted to you.

MESSAGE OF JOHN PAUL II
TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF ROME AND LAZIO
GATHERED FOR EUCHARIST ADORATION
IN THE BASILICA OF ST JOHN LATERAN 

"Adoro Te devote, latens Deitas!".

1. Dear Young People of Rome and of the Diocese of Lazio, your meeting in the Basilica of St John Lateran for Eucharistic Adoration in this year that is dedicated to it, is intended to give you an opportunity to prepare yourselves better for World Youth Day. I would like to join you in spirit and to express all my affection to you; I know that you are always close to me and never tire of praying for me. I greet you and I warmly thank you.

MESSAGE OF JOHN PAUL II
TO THE BISHOPS OF THE EPISCOPAL CONFERENCE OF TANZANIA
ON THEIR "AD LIMINA" VISIT

Friday, 11 March 2005

Dear Brother Bishops,

1. While I regret that I cannot receive you in the Vatican at this time, nevertheless I gladly welcome you, the Pastors of the Church in Tanzania, on your visit ad limina Apostolorum. I greet you all from Gemelli Hospital, where I offer my prayers and my sufferings for you: in these days I feel especially close to you. As I address you for the first time in this new millennium, in consideration of your Quinquennial Reports, I wish to speak with you about three integral parts of your pastoral ministry: care of the family, care of the clergy, and care for the common good of society in your region.

MESSAGE OF POPE JOHN PAUL II
TO H.E. MR FÉLIX OUDIANE,
AMBASSADOR OF SENEGAL TO THE HOLY SEE*

From the Gemelli Polyclinic, 10 March 2005

Mr Ambassador,

1. I am pleased to accredit you, Your Excellency, as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Senegal to the Holy See. I am grateful to you for conveying to me the cordial wishes of H.E. Mr Abdoulaye Wade, President of the Republic. I have pleasant memories of his visit to me at the Vatican several months ago. In return be so kind as to convey to him my very high opinion and esteem.