Jeff Ostrowski, Karol Józef Wojtyla , known as John Paul II since his October 1978 election to the papacy, was born in Wadowice, a small city 50 kilometres from Cracow, on May 18, 1920. He was the second of two sons born to Karol Wojty?a and Emilia Kaczorowska. His mother died in 1929. His eldest brother Edmund, a doctor, died in 1932 and his father, a non-commissioned army officer died in 1941. He made his First Holy Communion at age 9 and was confirmed at 18. Upon graduation from Marcin Wadowita high school in Wadowice, he enrolled in Cracow's Jagiellonian University in 1938 and in a school for drama. The Nazi occupation forces closed the university in 1939 and young Karol had to work in a quarry (1940-1944) and then in the Solvay chemical factory to earn his living and to avoid being deported to Germany. In 1942, aware of his call to the priesthood, he began courses in the clandestine seminary of Cracow, run by Cardinal Adam Stefan Sapieha, archbishop of Cracow. At the same time, Karol Wojty?a was one of the pioneers of the "Rhapsodic Theatre," also clandestine. After the Second World War, he continued his studies in the major seminary of Cracow, once it had re-opened, and in the faculty of theology of the Jagiellonian University, until his priestly ordination in Cracow on November 1, 1946. Soon after, Cardinal Sapieha sent him to Rome where he worked under the guidance of the French Dominican, Garrigou-Lagrange. He finished his doctorate in theology in 1948 with a thesis on the topic of faith in the works of St. John of the Cross. At that time, during his vacations, he exercised his pastoral ministry among the Polish immigrants of France, Belgium and Holland. In 1948 he returned to Poland and was vicar of various parishes in Cracow as well as chaplain for the university students until 1951, when he took up again his studies on philosophy and theology. In 1953 he defended a thesis on "evaluation of the possibility of founding a Catholic ethic on the ethical system of Max Scheler" at Lublin Catholic University. Later he became professor of moral theology and social ethics in the major seminary of Cracow and in the Faculty of Theology of Lublin. On July 4, 1958, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Cracow by Pope Pius XII, and was consecrated September 28, 1958, in Wawel Cathedral, Cracow, by Archbishop Baziak. On January 13, 1964, he was nominated Archbishop of Cracow by Pope Paul VI, who made him a cardinal June 26, 1967. Besides taking part in Vatican Council II with an important contribution to the elaboration of the Constitution Gaudium et spes, Cardinal Wojty?a participated in all the assemblies of the Synod of Bishops. Since the start of his Pontificate on October 16, 1978, Pope John Paul II has completed 104 pastoral visits outside of Italy and 146 within Italy . As Bishop of Rome he has visited 317 of the 333 parishes . His principal documents include 14 encyclicals , 15 apostolic exhortations , 11 apostolic constitutions and 45 apostolic letters. The Pope has also published five books : "Crossing the Threshold of Hope" (October 1994); "Gift and Mystery: On the 50th Anniversary of My Priestly Ordination" (November 1996); "Roman Triptych - Meditations", a book of poems (March 2003); "Rise, Let Us Be On Our Way" (May 2004) and "Memory and Identity" (pubblication spring 2005). John Paul II has presided at 147 beatification ceremonies ( 1,338 Blesseds proclaimed ) and 51 canonization ceremonies ( 482 Saints ) during his pontificate. He has held 9 consistories in which he created 231 (+ 1 in pectore) cardinals . He has also convened six plenary meetings of the College of Cardinals . From 1978 to today the Holy Father has presided at 15 Synods of Bishops : six ordinary (1980, 1983, 1987, 1990, 1994, 2001), one extraordinary (1985) and eight special (1980, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998[2] and 1999). No other Pope has encountered so many individuals like John Paul II: to date, more than 17,600,000 pilgrims have participated in the General Audiences held on Wednesdays (more than 1,160). Such figure is without counting all other special audiences and religious ceremonies held [more than 8 million pilgrims during the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 alone] and the millions of faithful met during pastoral visits made in Italy and throughout the world. It must also be remembered the numerous government personalities encountered during 38 official visits and in the 738 audiences and meetings held with Heads of State , and even the 246 audiences and meetings with Prime Ministers . Cardinal Karol Wojtyla is elected successor to Pope John Paul I, the 264th Pope of the Catholic Church and takes the name John Paul II . October 17 First Urbi et Orbi radio message of John Paul II. October 22 Solemn inauguration of his ministry as universal Pastor of the Church. October 23 John Paul II's historic embrace of Cardinal Wyszynski . October 25 First visit to Castelgandolfo: visit to the parish church and papal villa. October 29 Visit to the Shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Mentorella, Rome. November 5 Visit to Assisi to venerate the tomb of St. Francis, patron of Italy, and to the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva to venerate the tomb of St. Catherine, patroness of Italy. November 12 As Bishop of Rome, John Paul II takes possession of St. John Lateran Basilica. December 5 First visit to the parishes in the diocese of Rome: S. Francesco Saverio at Garbatella. 1979 January 24 John Paul II accepts the request made by Argentina and Chile for the Holy See’s mediation in solving the controversy between the two countries. January 24 John Paul II receives in audience the Soviet Foreign Minister, Andrei Gromyko . January 25 Pastoral Visit to Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic), Mexico for the Third General Conference of the Latin American Bishops and the Bahamas (25 January-1 February 1979). Apostolic Voyage 1 [English, Italian] March 4 First Encyclical Letter Redemptor hominis [English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish] - Jesus Christ the Redeemer of Man, published 15 March 1979. April 28 Archbishop Agostino Casaroli is appointed Pro-Secretary of State and Pro-prefect of the Council for the Public Affairs of the Church. June 2 Pastoral Visit in Poland (2-10 June 1979). Apostolic Voyage 2 [English, Italian] June 2 Historic homily of John Paul II at Victory Square in Warsaw: "It is not possible to understand the history of the Polish nation without Christ". June 30 Celebration of the First Consistory in his pontificate for the creation of 14 Cardinals, among whom were Cardinal Agostino Casaroli , Secretary of State. (One additional Cardinal was reserved "in pectore" - Chinese Ignatius Kung Pin-mei , whose appointment was published only in the Consistory of 28 June 1991). Consistories [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish] September 29 Pastoral Visit in Ireland, the U.N. and the United States of America (29 September-8 Octocber 1979). Apostolic Voyage 3 [English, Italian] October 2 John Paul II addresses the General Assembly of the U.N. in New York. October 16 Post-Synodal Pastoral Exhortation Catechesi tradendae [English, French, Italian, Polish, Spanish] on the Catechesis in Our Time, published 25 October 1979. November 5 First Plenary Assembly of the College of Cardinals on the themes: "The structure of the Roman Curia. The Church and contemporary culture. The financial situation of the Holy See" (5-9 November 1979). Consistories [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish] November 28 Pastoral Visit in Turkey (28-30 November 1979). Apostolic Voyage 4 [English, Italian] 1980 January 14 Opening of the Particular Synod of Bishops of the Netherlands on: "The pastoral action of the Church in Holland in the present situation" (14-31 January 1980). April 4 Good Friday: John Paul II hears confessions of the faithful for the first time in St. Peter's Basilica. May 2 Pastoral Visit in Zaire, Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Ghana, Upper Volta and Ivory Coast (2-12 May 1980). Apostolic Voyage 5 [English, Italian] May 16 Official visit of the President of Portugal, General Antonio Ramalho Eanes . May 30 Pastoral Visit in France (30 May-2 June 1980). Apostolic Voyage 6 [English, Italian] June 2 John Paul II's address to UNESCO in Paris. June 21 John Paul II receives in audience the President of the United States of America, Jimmy Carter . June 30 Pastoral Visit in Brazil (30 June-12 July 1980). Apostolic Voyage 7 [English, Italian] August 20 For the first time John Paul II alludes to the events happening in Poland regarding Solidarnosc. Sepember 26 Fifth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the theme: "The Role of the Christian Family in the Modern World" (26 September-25 October 1980). September 28 Pastoral visit to Subiaco and meeting with the European Bishops. October 17 Official visit of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and of H.R.H. Prince Philip , Duke of Edinburgh. November 15 Pastoral Visit in West Germany (15-19 November 1980). Apostolic Voyage 7 [English, Italian] November 25 Pastoral visit to Capodichino (Naples), Potenza, Balvano and Avellino , after the earthquake. November 30 Encyclical Letter Dives in misericordia [English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish] - On the Mercy of God, published 2 December 1980. December 19 Official visit of President of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Cvijetin Mijatovic . December 30 Apostolic Letter Egregiae virtutis [Italian] in which John Paul II proclaims Sts. Cyril and Methodius, together with St. Benedict, Patrons of Europe. 1981 January 15 John Paul II receives in audience a delegation headed by Lech Walesa of the Polish Independent Syndicate Solidarnosc . February 8 John Paul II meets with Rome's Chief Rabbi ElioToaff during his pastoral visit to the parish of Sts. Carlo e Biagio in Catinari. February 16 Pastoral Visit in Pakistan, Philippines, Guam (USA), Japan and Anchorage (USA) (16-27 February 1981). Apostolic Voyage 9 [English, Italian] May 13 At 5:19 p.m. a young turk Mehmet Alì Agca makes an attempt on the Pope's life while he was circling St. Peter's Square before his General Audience. Severly, wounded, the Pope was operated on for 6 hours at Gemelli hospital. May 17 John Paul II recites the Angelus at Gemelli hospital: "Pray for the brother who shot me, whom I have sincerely forgiven". May 31 John Paul II creates a Council of Cardinals to study the organizational and economic problems of the Holy See. June 3 John Paul II returns to the Vatican after 22 days of recovery at Gemelli Hospital. June 7 At the end of a mass celebrating the 1600th anniversary of the first Council of Constantinople and the 1550th anniversary of the Council of Ephesus, the Pope imparts the Apostolic Blessing in St. Peter’s Basilica. In the afternoon, during the Vespers in St. Mary Major Basilica, John Paul II pronounces, through the use of a recorded broadcast, an Act of entrustment to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. June 20 John Paul II is newly hospitalized for a cytomegalovirus infection. On 5 August he undergoes a second operation. He returns to the Vatican on the 14th of August and from there goes to Castelgandolfo on August 16th. July 13 First meeting of the Council of Cardinals for the study of organizational and economic problems of the Holy See. September 14 Encyclical Letter Laborem exercens [English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish] - on Human Work. November 22 Post-Synodal Pastoral Exhortation Familiaris Consortio [English, French, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish] - on the Role of the Family in the Modern World, published on 15 December 1981. November 25 Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger appointed Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. December 12 John Paul II sends a delegation from the Pontifical Academy of Sciences to the Presidents of the USA, USSR, Great Britain, France, and the UN, to present thier scientific document on the consequences of an eventual use of nuclear arms in Europe and in the world. December 13 John Paul II invites prayers for the Polish nation, calling the situation a state of emergency. 1982 January 6 Apostolic Letter Caritatis Christi for the church in China. February 12 Pastoral Visit in Nigeria, Benin, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea (12-19 February 1982). Apostolic Voyage 10 [English, Italian] March 21 Holy Mass in St. Peter's Basilica for the Chinese Church. April 7 Official Visit of the President of Greece, Costantino Karamanlis . May 12 Pastoral Visit in Portugal, one year after the assassination attempt on his life in St. Peter's Square (12-15 May 1982). Apostolic Voyage 11 [English, Italian] May 13 Before the statue of Our Lady of Fátima, John Paul II recites the Act of consecration and entrustment of the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. May 22 Holy Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica for justice and peace, for peace between Argentina and Great Britain (the Falkland Islands/Malvinas). May 28 Pastoral Visit in Great Britain (28 May-2 June 1982). Apostolic Voyage 12 [English, Italian] May 29 Joint statement of John Paul II and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Robert Runcie , at the end of the ecumenical celebration in the Anglican Canterbury Cathedral. June 7 John Paul II receives in audience the President of the United States of America, Ronald Reagan. They pledge to work for world peace and justice. June 10 Pastoral Visit to Rio de Janeiro and in Argentina, in relation to the war between Argentina and Great Britain regarding the Falkland Islands/Malvinas (10-13 June 1982). Apostolic Voyage 13 [English, Italian] June 15 Pastoral Visit in Genève . Apostolic Voyage 14 [English, Italian] June 15 Speech by John Paul II at the 68th Session of the International Workers Conference in Geneva. August 29 Pastoral Visit in the Republic of San Marino and Rimini . Apostolic Voyage 15 [English, Italian] September 15 John Paul II receives in audience Yasser Arafat . September 15 Renewed appeal for peace in Lebanon after the murder of President-elect Bechir Gemayel . October 10 Canonization of Fr. Maximilian Kolbe . Present at the canonization ceremony was Mr. Franciszek Gajownizek , the man for whom Fr. Maximilian offered his life in the concentration camp at Auschwitz. October 19 Meeting with the President of Italy, Sandro Pertini at Castelporziano. October 28 Official visit of the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Karl Carstens . October 31 Pastoral Visit in Spain for the closure of the 4th Centenary of the death of St. Teresa of Ávila (31 October-9 November 1982). Apostolic Voyage 16 [English, Italian] November 9 Message to the peoples of Europe from the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. November 23 Second Plenary Assembly of the College of Cardinals on: "Curial reforms, state of revisions of the Code of Canon Law, financial solvency of the Holy See, relations between the Institute of the Works of Religion (I.O.R.) and the 'Banco Ambrosiano' " (23-26 November 1982). Consistories [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish] November 26 John Paul II announces the Holy Year of Redemption from Lent 1983 to Easter 1984. 1983 January 6 Papal Bull Aperite portas Redemptori , announcing the Jubilee for the 1950th anniversary of the Redemption . January 25 Apostolic Constitution Sacrae disciplinae leges [English, Italian] for the promulgation of the new Code of Canon Law. February 2 Second Consistory of John Paul II for the creation of 18 cardinals. Consistories [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish] March 2 Pastoral Visit in Lisbon (Portugal) and Central America (Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Belize and Haiti) (2-10 March 1983). Apostolic Voyage 17 [English, Italian] March 25 Opening of the Holy Year of the Redemption 1983 (25 March 1983- 22 April 1984). June 16 Pastoral Visit in Poland (16-23 June 1983). Apostolic Voyage 18 [English, Italian] August 14 Pastoral Visit in Lourdes (14-15 August 1983). Apostolic Voyage 19 [English, Italian] September 10 Pastoral Visit in Austria (10-13 September 1983). Apostolic Voyage 20 [English, Italian] September 29 Sixth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on: "Penance and Reconciliation in the Mission of the Church" (29 September-29 October 1983). October 16 In St. Peter’s Square, John Paul II together with the cardinals and bishops participating in the Synod of Bishops, repeat the Act of entrustment and consecration of the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, which had already been pronounced in Fatima on 13 May 1982. November 5 Letter for the 500th anniversary of the birth of Martin Luther . November 24 Publication of the Charter of Rights of the Family (22 October 1993) [English, French, Italian, Spanish]. December 11 Meeting with the Evangelic-Lutheran community in Rome. December 27 Visit to the Rebibbia prison and meeting with Alì Agca , the Turk who made an attempt on the life of John Paul II on 13 May 1981. 1984 January 10 Diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the United States of America . Bilateral and multilateral relations of the Holy See [English, Italian] February 11 Apostolic Letter Salvifici doloris [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish] - on the Christian Meaning of Human Suffering. February 18 Agreement between the Holy See and the Italian Republic on the revision of the Lateran Concordat: new Concordat signed. February 22 Letter of the Holy Father for "The John Paul II Foundation for the Sahel", instituted for the fight against the drought and desertification in the Sahelian region. March 25 Jubilee of Families . Before the statue of Our Lady of Fatima in St. Peter’s Square, John Paul II in spiritual union with all the bishops of the world repeat the Act of entrustment of mankind and all peoples to Mary Most Holy. March 25 Apostolic Exhortation Redemptionis donum [English, French, Italian, Polish, Portuguese] to all men and women religious on their consecration in the light of the mystery of redemption, published 29 March 1984. April 9 Additional appointments to the Roman Curia: broad renovation of responsibilities of dicasteries and commissions. April 20 Apostolic Letter Redemptionis anno [Italian] on the City of Jerusalem, sacred patrimony of all believers and desired crossroad of peace for the peoples of the Middle East. April 22 Closing of the Holy Year of Redemption 1983-1984 . May 1 Apostolic Letter Les grands Mystères [Italian] on the problem of Lebanon. May 2 Pastoral Visit in Korea, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Thailand (2-12 May 1984). Apostolic Voyage 21 [English, Italian] May 21 Official visit of the President of Italy, Sandro Pertini . June 2 Official visit of John Paul II to the President of Italy, Sandro Pertini (Quirinale, Rome). June 12 Pastoral Visit in Switzerland (12-17 June 1984). Apostolic Voyage 22 [English, Italian] July 16 Visit to the massif of Adamello and meeting with the Italian President Sandro Pertini (16-17 July 1984). September 3 Publication of the Instruction of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on certain aspects of theology of liberation [English]. September 9 Pastoral Visit in Canada (9-20 September 1984). Apostolic Voyage 23 [English, Italian] October 10 Pastoral Visit in Zaragoza (Spain), Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) and San Juan (Puerto Rico) (10-13 October 1984). Apostolic Voyage 24 [English, Italian] December 11 Publication of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Reconciliatio and Poenitentia [English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish] - on Reconciliation and Penance in the Mission of the Church Today (signed 02 December 1984). 1985 January 26 Pastoral Visit in Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru and Trinidad and Tobago (26 January-6 February 1985). Apostolic Voyage 25 [English, Italian] February 19 John Paul II receives in audience the Israeli Prime Minister, Simon Peres . February 27 John Paul II receives in audience the Foreign Minister of the USSR, Andrei Gromyko . March 26 Apostolic Letter Dilecti Amici [English, Italian], to the Youth of the World on the occasion of the United Nation's International Youth Year. World Youth Day [English, Italian] March 30 International Youth Meeting in Rome (30-31 March 1985). World Youth Day [English, Italian] April 11 Pastoral visit to Loreto and meeting with Italian Bishops. May 11 Pastoral Visit in The Netherlands, Luxembourg and Belgium (11-21 May 1985). Apostolic Voyage 26 [English, Italian] May 25 Third Consistory of John Paul II for the creation of 28 new Cardinals. Consistories [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish] June 2 Encyclical Epistle Slavorum apostoli [English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Spanish] in commemoration of the 11th Centenary of the Evangelizing Works of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, published 2 July 1985. July 7 Holy Mass in the Paoline Chapel of the Vatican for the Czechoslovakian community, in remembrance of Sts. Cyril and Methodius. August 8 Pastoral Visit in Togo, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Republic of Central Africa, Zaire, Kenya and Morocco (8-19 August 1985). Apostolic Voyage 27 [English, Italian] September 8 Pastoral Visit in Kloten (Switzerland) and Liechtenstein. Apostolic Voyage 28 [English, Italian] October 4 Official visit of President of Italy, Francesco Cossiga . November 17 Personal message of the Pope to Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbaciov for the Geneva summit. November 21 Third Plenary Assembly of the College of Cardinals on: "The reform of the Roman Curia" (21-23 November 1985). Consistories [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish] November 25 Second Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on: "The Twentieth Anniversary of the Conclusion of the Second Vatican Council" (25 November-8 December 1985). 1986 January 18 Official visit of John Paul II to the Italian President, Francesco Cossiga . January 31 Pastoral Visit in India (31 January-10 February 1986). Apostolic Voyage 29 [English, Italian] February 19 John Paul II receives in audience President of Lebanon, Amin Gemayel. March 6 Official visit of the Governor General of Canada, Jeanne Sauvé . March 13 John Paul II and the Dicastery heads of the Roman Curia meet with Bishops of the Brazilian Episcopal Conference at the end of their "ad limina visit" (13-15 March 1986). April 5 Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith publishes the Instruction Libertatis conscientia [English] on Christian freedom and liberation. April 13 John Paul II makes a visit to Rome's main Synagogue . May 18 Encyclical Letter Dominum et vivificantem [English, French, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish] - on the Holy Spirit in the Life of the Church and the World, published on 30 May. July 1 Pastoral Visit in Colombia and St Lucia (1-8 July 1986). Apostolic Voyage 30 [English, Italian] October 4 Pastoral Visit in France (East-Central region) (4-7 October 1986). Apostolic Voyage 31 [English, Italian] October 27 John Paul II attends the First World Day of Prayer for Peace which he convoked in Assisi. October 31 Official visit of the President of the Republic of Cameroon, Paul Biya . November 18 Pastoral Visit in Bangladesh, Singapore, Fiji Islands, New Zealand, Australia and Seychelles (18 November-1 December 1986). Apostolic Voyage 32 [English, Italian] 1987 January 13 John Paul II receives in audience the President of the Council of the People's Republic of Poland, Wojciech Jaruzelski . February 22 Instruction Donum vitae [English, Italian] of the Congregation for the Doctrine, published 2 March 1987 - on respect for human life in its origin and on the dignity of procreation. March 25 Encyclical Letter Redemptoris Mater [English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish] - on the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Life of the Pilgrim Church. March 31 Pastoral Visit in Uruguay, Chile and Argentina , and celebration in Buenos Aires of the II World Youth Day (31 March-13 April 1987). Apostolic Voyage 33 [English, Italian] World Youth Day [English, Italian] April 30 Pastoral Visit in the Federal Republic of Germany (30 April-4 May 1987). Apostolic Voyage 34 [English, Italian] June 6 Official visit of the President of the United States of America, Ronald Reagan . June 6 On the vigil of Pentecost: Solemn opening of the Marian Year (7 June-15 August 1987). June 8 Pastoral Visit in Poland (8-14 June 1987). Apostolic Voyage 35 [English, Italian] June 25 Official visit of the President of the Federal Republic of Austria, Kurt Waldheim . June 28 Celebration of the 7th Centenary of the evangelization of Lithuania. July 8 First visit of John Paul II to the Dolomites (Lorenzago di Cadore) in northern Italy for a period of rest (8-14 July 1987). September 10 Pastoral Visit in USA and Fort Simpson (Canada) (10-21 September 1987). Apostolic Voyage 36 [English, Italian] September 17 San Francisco, USA, the Holy Father meets with AIDS patients at "Mission Dolores Basilica" and embraces a little boy called Brendan. October 1 Seventh Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on: "The Vocation and Mission of the Lay Faithful in the Church and in the World" (1-30 October 1987). December 3 His Holiness Dimitrios , Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, visits John Paul II (3-7 December 1987). Signing of joint declaration. December 11 Official visit of the President of the Republic of Argentina, Raul Ricardo Alfonsin . December 30 Encyclical Letter Sollicitudo rei socialis [English, French, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish] for the 20th Anniversary of Populorum Progressio, published 19 February 1988. 1988 January 25 Apostolic Letter Euntes in mundum [Italian] for the millennium of the Baptism of Kievan Rus', published 22 March 1988. February 14 Message to the Ukrainian Catholics, Magnum Baptismi donum for the millennium of the Baptism of Kievan Rus'. March 3 For the first time, the financial report of the Holy See (for the year 1986) is published. May 7 Pastoral Visit in Uruguay, Bolivia, Paraguay and Lima (Perú) (7-19 May 1988). Apostolic Voyage 37 [English, Italian] May 21 Inauguration of the Dono di Maria shelter in the Vatican, entrusted to Mother Teresa's Missionary Sisters of Charity. June 13 Holy See delegation to Moscow led by Secretary of State Cardinal Casaroli for the celebrations of the Millennium of Kievan Rus'. June 18 Official visit of the President of the Philippines, Corazon C. Aquino . June 23 Pastoral Visit in Austria (23-27 June 1988). Apostolic Voyage 38 [English, Italian] June 28 Apostolic Constitution Pastor Bonus [English, Italian, Latin, Spanish] on the Roman Curia. June 28 Fourth Consistory of John Paul II for the creation of 24 new Cardinals. Consistories [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish] July 2 Motu Proprio Ecclesia Dei [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish], establishing a commission for the purpose of facilitating full ecclesial communion of priests, seminarians, religious communities or individuals until now linked to the Fraternity founded by Mons. Lefebvre, who may wish to remain united to the Successor of Peter in the Catholic Church. July 10 Solemn liturgy in the Byzantine-Ukrainian Rite in St. Peter's Basilica for the Millennium of the Baptism of Kievan Rus'. August 15 Solemn closing of the Marian Year in St. Peter's Basilica. August 15 Apostolic Letter Mulieris dignitatem [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish] - on the Dignity and Vocation of Women on the Occasion of the Marian Year, published 30 September 1988. September 10 Pastoral Visit in Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique and Swaziland (10-20 September 1988). Apostolic Voyage 39 [English, Italian] October 8 Pastoral Visit to the European Institutions of Strasbourg and to the Dioceses of Strasbourg, Metz and Nancy (8-11 October 1988). Apostolic Voyage 40 [English, Italian] November 19 Official Visit of the President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic, Ciriaco De Mita . December 30 Post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation Christifideles laici [English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish] - on theVocation and the Mission of the Lay Faithful in the Church and in the World, published 30 January 1989. 1989 January 1 Motu Proprio instituting the Labour Office of the Holy See , published 25 January 1989. (On 30 September 1994 will be signed the Apostolic Letter Motu Proprio for the promulgation of the definitive Statute establishing the Labour Office of the Holy See [Italian]). March 8 Meeting of John Paul II and members of the Curia with the metropolitan archbishops of the United States of America on the theme: "Evangelization in the context of the culture and society of the United States with particular emphasis on the role of the bishop as teacher of the faith" (8-11 March 1989). March 10 Reorganization of the pastoral government of the dioceses in Lithuania . April 20 Official visit of the President of Ireland, Patrick J. Hillery . April 28 Pastoral Visit in Madagascar, La Réunion, Zambia and Malawi (28 April-6 May 1989). Apostolic Voyage 41 [English, Italian] May 27 John Paul II receives in audience the President of the United States of America, George Bush . June 1 Pastoral Visit in Norway, Iceland, Finland, Denmark and Sweden (1-10 June 1989). Apostolic Voyage 42 [English, Italian] July 17 Restoration of diplomatic relations between Poland and the Holy See. Bilateral and multilateral relations of the Holy See [English, Italian] August 15 Apostolic Exhortation Redemptoris Custos [English, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese] on the Person and Mission of St. Joseph in the Life of Christians and of the Church. August 15 Angelus message in which the Pope reveals his wish to go personally to Lebanon as soon as possible. August 19 Pastoral Visit in Santiago de Compostela for the 4th World Youth Day and in Asturias (19-21 August 1989). Apostolic Voyage 43 [English, Italian] World Youth Day [English, Italian] August 27 Apostolic Letter on the Occasion of the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Second World War [Italian]. September 7 Appeal to the followers of Islam in favor of Lebanon. September 7 Apostolic Letter to all Bishops of the Catholic Church on the situation in Lebanon [Italian]. World Day of Prayer for Peace in Lebanon. September 29 Official visit of Archbishop of Canterbury and Primate of the Anglican Communion, Dr. Robert Runcie (29 September-2 October 1989). October 2 Joint statement of John Paul II and Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Robert Runcie . October 6 Pastoral Visit in Seoul (Korea), Indonesia and Mauritius (6-10 October). Apostolic Voyage 44 [English, Italian] November 13 Meeting of the diocesan bishops of the Federal Republic of Germany with the Holy Father on the theme: "Handing the faith to the next generation and the pastoral work of catechesis" (13-14 November 1989). December 1 Official visit of the President of the USSR, Mikhail Gorbaciov . December 18 Official visit of the President of Malta, Censu Tabone . December 21 New appointment of bishops in Czechoslovakia. 1990 January 25 Pastoral Visit in Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Burkina Faso and Chad (25 January-1 February 1990). Apostolic Voyage 45 [English, Italian] March 15 Exchange of official representatives at the level of the apostolic nuncio and special ambassador between the Holy See and the Soviet government . April 21 Pastoral Visit in Czechoslovakia (21-22 April 1990). Apostolic Voyage 46 [English, Italian] April 22 In Velehrad, John Paul II announces a Special Assembly for Europe of the Synod of Bishops. April 27 Official visit of the President of Portugal, Mario Soares . May 6 Pastoral Visit in Mexico and Curaçao (6-14 May 1990). Apostolic Voyage 47 [English, Italian] May 25 Pastoral Visit in Malta (25-27 May). Apostolic Voyage 48 [English, Italian] August 26 During his Angelus message John Paul II makes an appeal for peace in the Persian Gulf, following the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq. September 1 Pastoral Visit in Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda and Yamoussoukro (1-10 September). Apostolic Voyage 49 [English, Italian] September 30 Eighth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the theme: "The Formation of Priests in Circumstances of the Present Day" (30 September-28 October 1990). October 18 Promulgation of the Code of Canon Law for the Eastern Churches . November 24 Ad limina visit of Vietnamese bishops: for the first time all bishops are present. December 1 John Paul II accepts the resignation of the Cardinal Secretary of State Agostino Casaroli and appoints Archbishop Angelo Sodano Pro-Secretary of State. December 7 Encyclical Letter Redemptoris missio [English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish] - on the Permanent Validity of the Church’s Missionary Mandate, published 22 January 1991. December 25 Papal appeal for peace in the Gulf with the Christmas message Urbi et Orbi . 1991 January 15 Letters to the President of the United States, George Bush and to the President of Iraq, Sadam Hussein in an attempt to avert the Gulf War. February 5 Official visit of President of the Polish Republic, Lech Walesa . March 4 Representatives of the episcopates from the countries directly implicated in the Gulf War meet in the Vatican (4-5 March 1991). March 8 Second session of the Brazilian Episcopate and representatives of the Roman Curia (8-9 March 1991). April 4 Fourth Plenary Assembly of the College of Cardinals on the theme: "The Church facing the threat against human life and the challenge of the sects" (4-7 April 1991). Consistories [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish] April 8 Meeting of the Presidents of the Episcopal Conferences concerning the economic problems of the Holy See and the financial contribution of the bishops, according to the Code of Canon Law, Canon 1271 (8-9 April 1991). April 13 Reorganization of the Latin-Rite Catholic Church in the Soviet Republic of Belarus, Russia and Kazakistan. April 22 Official visit of the President of the Republic of Chile, Patricio Aylwuin Azocar . April 29 Meeting of Swiss Bishops with the Holy Father and the Roman Curia (29-30 April 1991). May 1 Enyclical Letter Centesimus annus [English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish] - on the Hundreth Year of Rerum Novarum . May 3 Official visit of the King Karl Gustaf XVI of Sweden and Queen Silvia . May 10 Pastoral Visit in Portugal (10-13 May 1991). Apostolic Voyage 50 [English, Italian] June 1 Pastoral Visit in Poland (1-9 June 1991). Apostolic Voyage 51 [English, Italian] June 28 Fifth Consistory of John Paul II for the creation of 22 new Cardinals and the announcement of the 1979 appointment "in pectore" of Cardinal Ignatius Kung Pin-Mei . Consistories [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish] August 13 Pastoral Visit in Poland, at Czestochowa for the 6th World Youth Day and in Hungary (13-20 August 1991). Apostolic Voyage 52 [English, Italian] World Youth Day [English, Italian] September 7 Holy See and Albania establish diplomatic relations. Bilateral and multilateral relations of the Holy See [English, Italian] October 5 Ecumenical prayer service at St. Peter's Basilica, for the occasion of the 6th Centenary of the canonization of St. Brigit of Sweden. For the first time since the Reformation two Lutheran bishops prayed in St. Peter's Basilica with the Pope, together with the Catholic bishops of Stockholm and Helsinki. October 12 Pastoral Visit in Brazil (12-21 October 1991). Apostolic Voyage 53 [English, Italian] November 28 Special Assembly for Europe of the Synod of Bishops on the theme: "So that we might be witnesses of Christ who has set us free" (28 November-14 December 1991). December 7 Ecumenical prayer service in St. Peter's Basilica for the occasion of the Special Assembly for Europe of the Synod of Bishops. 1992 January 1 Holy See recognizes the Russian Federation . January 13 Holy See recognizes Croatia and Slovenia . February 8 Holy See establishes diplomatic relations with Croatia, Slovenia and Ukraine . Bilateral and multilateral relations of the Holy See [English, Italian] February 13 Papal chirograph for the Indipendent Foundation Popolorum Progressio at the service of the indiginous peoples and the campesinos in Latin America, established on the occasion of the 5th centenary of the evangelization of Latin America. February 19 Pastoral Visit in Senegal, Gambia and Guinea (19-26 February 1992). Apostolic Voyage 54 [English, Italian] April 7 Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Pastores dabo vobis [English, French, Italian, Latin, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish] - on the Formation of Priests in the Circumstances of the Present Day (signed 25 March 1992). May 17 Beatification of José Maria Escrivá de Balaguer , the founder of Opus Dei, and of Giuseppina Bakhita of Sudan. June 4 Pastoral Visit in Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe (4-10 June 1992). Apostolic Voyage 55 [English, Italian] July 12 At the Angelus John Paul II announces to the faithful that he will go to Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital that evening for diagnostic tests. On July 15, the Holy Father undergoes surgery to remove a benign intestinal tumor. John Paul II is released from Gemelli Polyclinic on 26 July. August 22 Dramatic appeal for peace in the Balkans at the Angelus message. September 21 Diplomatic relations between Holy See and Mexico . Bilateral and multilateral relations of the Holy See [English, Italian] October 9 Pastoral Visit in Santo Domingo for the 5th centenary of the evangelization of Latin America and for the Fourth General Conference of the Latin American Episcopate (9-14 October 1992). Apostolic Voyage 56 [English, Italian] October 11 Apostolic Constitution Fidei depositum [English, French, Italian, Latin, Portuguese, Spanish] - on the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church [Inglese, Italiano] edited after the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council. October 31 John Paul II receives in audience the Pontifical Academy of the Sciences. The Academy presents to the Holy Father the conclusions reached by the "Commission for the Study of the ptolemaic-copernican Controversy, which was instituted by John Paul II on 3 June 1981 to "provide to the world of science and culture the long-awaited response in merit to the case of Galileo Galilei ". November 27 Official visit of the President of Italy, Oscar Luigi Scalfaro . December 25 Bishops of Albania appointed. 1993 January 9 At Assisi , special prayer meeting for peace in Europe, particularly in the Balkans (9-10 January 1993). January 21 Official visit of Giuliano Amato , President of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Italy. February 3 Pastoral Visit in Benin, Uganda and Khartoum (3-10 February 1993). Apostolic Voyage 57 [English, Italian] February 19 Official visit of the President of Slovenia, Milan Kucan . April 25 Pastoral Visit in Albania . Apostolic Voyage 58 [English, Italian] May 9 During the pastoral visit in Sicily, in the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, appeal to men of the mafia to convert. May 29 Closing of the second diocesan synod of Rome. June 7 Official visit of the President of the Republic of Slovakia, Michal Kovac . June 12 Pastoral Visit in Spain (12-17 June 1993). Apostolic Voyage 59 [English, Italian] August 6 Encyclical Letter Veritatis splendor [English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish] - regarding certain fundamental questions on the Church’s moral teaching, published 5 October 1993. August 9 Pastoral Visit in Jamaica, Merida and Denver for the 8th World Youth Day (9-16 August 1993). Apostolic Voyage 60 [English, Italian] World Youth Day [English, Italian] September 4 Pastoral Visit in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia (4-10 September 1993). Apostolic Voyage 61 [English, Italian] November 11 The Holy Father dislocates his right shoulder during a fall at the end of an audience in the Hall of Benediction. He spent one day at Gemelli Hospital; his shoulder is immobilized for one month. December 16 Official visit of the President of Argentina, Carlos Saul Menem . December 26 Opening of the Year of the Family. December 30 At Jerusalem, signing of an agreement on some basic principles regulating relations between the Holy See and the State of Israel . 1994 January 1 Motu Proprio Socialium scientiarum [Italian] instituting the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences. January 6 Letter to the Italian Bishops on the responsibilities of Catholics facing the challenge of the present historic situation [Italian]. January 23 Mass presided by John Paul II in St. Peter’s Basilica for peace in the Balkans. February 2 Letter to Families [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish], for the International Year of the Family. February 11 Motu Proprio Vitae mysterium instituting the Pontifical Academy for Life. March 3 Official visit of President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Richard von Weizsäcker . March 3 Diplomatic relations with Jordan . Bilateral and multilateral relations of the Holy See [English, Italian] March 5 Diplomatic relations with South Africa . Bilateral and multilateral relations of the Holy See [English, Italian] March 7 Official visit of President of the Czech Republic, Vaclav Havel . March 17 John Paul II receives in audience Prime Minister of Israel , Yitzhak Rabin . March 19 Letter to heads of states around the world and to the Secretary General of the United Nations on the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo, held in September 1994 [English, Italian, Spanish]. ? April 7 Concert held in the Vatican for the commemoration of the Shoah, in the presence of John Paul II and Chief Rabbi of Rome, Elio Toaff . April 8 John Paul II celebrates Mass in the Sistine Chapel for the unveiling of the restored frescoes of Michelangelo. April 10 Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops on the theme: "The Church in Africa and Her Evangelizing Mission Towards the Year 2000: 'You Shall Be My Witnesses' " (10 April-8 May 1994). April 29 Following an accidental fall on the evening of 28 April 1994, which caused a fracture of the right femur, the Holy Father is recovered at the Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital and undergoes an operation. Released from hospital on 27 May 1994. May 13 Opening of the cloistered monastery "Mater Ecclesiae" within the Vatican walls. May 22 Apostolic Letter Ordinatio sacerdotalis [English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish] - to the Bishops on Reserving Priestly Ordination to Men Alone. June 2 John Paul II receives in audience the President of the United States of America, Bill Clinton. June 13 Fifth Plenary Assembly of the College of Cardinals, with John Paul II participating, in preparation for the Jubilee of the Third Millennium (13-14 June 1994). Consistories [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish] June 15 Diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the State of Israel . Bilateral and multilateral relations of the Holy See [English, Italian] September 5 Holy See sends its delegation to the International Conference on Population and Development, held in Cairo (5-13 September 1994). ? September 8 John Paul II offers Mass at Castelgandolfo for Bosnia-Herzegovina, after cancelling his planned visit to Sarajevo. September 10 Pastoral Visit in Croatia (10-11 September 1994). Apostolic Voyage 62 [English, Italian] October 2 Ninth General Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops: "The Consecrated Life and Its Role in the Church and in the World" (2-29 October 1994). October 8 World Meeting of Families with the Holy Father honoring the International Year of the Family (8-9 October 1994). October 20 Publication of the book Crossing the Threshold of Hope . October 25 The start of "working contacts of a permanent and official character" between the Holy See and the Palestine Liberation Organization . November 10 Apostolic Letter Tertio millennio adveniente [English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish] - to Bishops, Clergy and Lay Faithful in the preparation for the Jubilee of theYear 2000, published 14 November 1994. November 25 Official visit of the President of Austria, Thomas Klestil . November 26 Sixth Consistory of John Paul II for the creation of 30 new cardinals. Consistories [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish] December 2 Official visit of the President of Lithuania, Algirdas Brazauskas . December 13 Letter to Children [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish] in the Year of the Family. 1995 January 11 Pastoral Visit to Manila for the 10th World Youth Day, to Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea), Sydney (Australia) and Colombo (Sri Lanka) (11-21 January 1995). Apostolic Voyage 63 [English, Italian] World Youth Day [English, Italian] January 14 Broadcasted over Radio Veritas at Manila, John Paul II reads a message to Chinese Catholics. February 4 Official visit of the President of the Republic of Malta, Ugo Mifsud Bonnici . March 6 The Holy See sends its delegation to the UN World Summit of Social Development in Copenhagen, Denmark (6-12 March 1995). March 25 Encyclical Letter Evangelium vitae [English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish] - on the Value and Inviolability of Human Life, published 30 March 1995. Commentary on Evangelium vitae [Italian, Spanish]. Evangelium vitae and law [Italian] . May 2 Apostolic Letter Orientale lumen [English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish] - for the centenary of Orientalium dignitas of Pope Leo XIII. May 8 Message on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. May 20 Pastoral Visit in the Czech Republic (20-22 May 1995). Apostolic Voyage 64 [English, Italian] May 25 Encyclical Letter Ut unum sint [English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish] - on Commitment to Ecumenism, published 30 May 1995. June 3 Pastoral Visit in Belgium (3-4 June 1995). Apostolic Voyage 65 [English, Italian] June 11 Holy Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica to commemorate the end of World War II in Europe. June 27 Visit of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartolomeo I (27-30 June 1995). Joint declaration signed on 29 June 1995. June 29 Letter to Women [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish], published 10 July 1995. June 30 Pastoral Visit in Slovakia (30 June-3 July 1995). Apostolic Voyage 66 [English, Italian] September 4 Mary Ann Glendon, appointed by John Paul II as the first woman to head a Holy See delegation, addresses the 4th UN Conference on Women in Beijing (4-15 September 1995). September 9 Visit to Loreto , on the occasion of the European Youth Pilgrimage, broadcasted live in Sarajevo (9-10 September 1995). September 14 Pastoral Visit in Yaoundé (Cameroon), Johannesburg/Pretoria (S. Africa) and Nairobi (Kenya) for the closing of the Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops (14-20 September 1995). Apostolic Voyage 67 [English, Italian] September 14 Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in Africa [English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish] - on the Church in Africa and its Evangelizing Mission towards the Year 2000, signed by the Holy Father in the Apostolic Nunciature of Yaoundé (the first time such an important document is signed outside the Vatican). October 4 Pastoral Visit in New York, Newark, Brooklyn and Baltimore (USA) , (4-9 October 1995). Apostolic Voyage 68 [English, Italian] October 5 Holy Father addresses the UN General Assembly, commemorates UN's 50th anniversary. October 17 The Holy Father receives the Bishops of Bosnia-Erzogovina, Croatia, Jugoslavia, Macedonia and Serbia. November 8 Commemoration ceremony of the 30th anniversary of Gaudium et spes [English, Italian, Spanish]. November 16 Apostolic Letter for the Fourth Centenary of the Union of Brest [English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish]. November 23 One-day visit to Palermo for the 3rd Ecclesial Convention of the Italian Church. November 26 Special Assembly for Lebanon of the Synod of Bishops (26 November-14 December 1995). December 8 During celebrations for the Immaculate Conception, the Pope entrusts Rome with a special mission for the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000. December 25 Urbi et Orbi Christmas message and blessing on Internet. 1996 January 20 State visit of the President of France, Jacques Chirac . February 1 Official visit of the President of Mexico, Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de León . February 5 Pastoral Visit in Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Venezuela (5-12 February 1996). Apostolic Voyage 69 [English, Italian] February 22 Apostolic Constitution of John Paul II Universi Dominici gregis [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish] - on the Vacancy of the Apostolic See and the Election of the Roman Pontiff. March 25 Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Vita consecrata [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish] - on the Consecrated Life and Its Mission in the Church and in the World. April 5 Way of the Cross at the Colosseum: meditations prepared by Cardinal Vinko Pulijc , Archbishop of Vrhbosna, Sarajevo. April 14 Pastoral Visit at Tunis (14 April 1996). Apostolic Voyage 70 [English, Italian] April 18 Apostolic Letter commemorating the 350 years of the Union of Uzhorod [English, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish]. May 17 Pastoral Visit in Slovenia (17-19 May 1996). Apostolic Voyage 71 [English, Italian] May 25 Official visit of the President of Uruguay, Julio Maria Sanguinetti . June 3 The Holy See sends its delegation to Habitat II, the second UN Conference on Human Settlements: Istanbul (3-14 June 1996). June 21 Pastoral Visit in Germany (21-23 June 1996). Historic speech at the gate of Brandeburg, and the announcement of the new Synod for Europe. Apostolic Voyage 72 [English, Italian] July 4 Official visit of the Italian President of the Council of Ministers, Romano Prodi . July 7 The celebration of the Divine Liturgy in the Byzantine-Ukraine rite at the Vatican Basilica, on the occasion of the 400th Anniversary of the Union of Brest. September 6 Pastoral Visit in Hungary (6-7 September 1996). Apostolic Voyage 73 [English, Italian] September 19 Pastoral Visit in France (19-22 September 1996). Apostolic Voyage 74 [English, Italian] October 6 In the evening, the Holy Father is recovered at the Gemelli Polyclinic Hospitial to undergo the scheduled surgical procedure of an appendectomy. The extemporaneous histological examination showed a transmural appendicitis with evidence of fibrosis established from preceding inflammatory episodes. The morphological finding is indicative of recidivist appendicitis. Operated on 8 October in the morning. Released from hospital 15 October. November 1 The Holy Father celebrates Holy Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica on the 50th anniversary of his priestly ordination with the diocese of Rome. November 10 Solemn Eucharistic Concelebration in St. Peter’s Basilica, John Paul II celebrates mass with the Cardinals, Bishops and priests consecrated in the year 1946. November 13 The Holy Father addresses the opening of the UN World Food Summit organized by FAO (UN Food and Agricultural Organization) in Rome. November 15 Presentation of the Holy Father’s book entitled Gift and Mystery - on the Fiftieth Anniversary of My Priestly Ordination [Italian]. November 19 John Paul II receives in audience the President of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cuba, Fidel Castro Ruz . November 30 John Paul II presides over the first vespers celebrated in St. Peter’s Basilica on the solemn occasion of the beginning of the three year preparation for the Great Jubilee Year of 2000 - Announcement of the Holy Door opening for 24 December 1999. December 3 Visit of the Archbishop of Canterbury and Primate of the Anglican Communion, Dr. George Leonard Carey to the Holy Father and the Church of Rome. Signing of the joint Declaration (3-6 December 1996). December 10 John Paul II receives the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all Armenian’s, His Holiness Karekin I. Signing of the joint Declaration (10-14 December 1996). December 19 John Paul II receives in audience the President of PLO and the Palestinian Authority, Yasser Arafat . 1997 January 23 Visit by His Holiness Aram I Keshishian , Catholicos of Cilicia of the Armenians, to the Holy Father and the Church of Rome. Signing of joint Declaration (23-26 January 1997). February 3 John Paul II receives in audience Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu . February 14 Official visit of the President of Brazil, Fernando Henrique Cardoso . March 10 Holy See and Libya establish diplomatic relations. Bilateral and multilateral relations of the Holy See [English, Italian] March 24 Opening presentation of the Holy See Internet Site. April 7 John Paul II receives in audience the President of Poland, Aleksander Kwasniewski . April 12 Pastoral Visit in Sarajevo (12-13 April 1997). Apostolic Voyage 75 [English, Italian] April 25 Pastoral Visit in the Czech Republic (25-27 April 1997). Apostolic Voyage 76 [English, Italian] May 4 Beatification of five servants of God in St. Peter’s Square including the first Gypsy Ceferino Giménez Malla killed during the Spanish Civil War of 1936. May 10 Pastoral Visit in Beirut for the concluding phase of the Special Assembly for Lebanon of the Synod of Bishops (10-11 May 1997). Apostolic Voyage 77 [English, Italian] May 10 John Paul II signs the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation A New Hope for Lebanon , at the end of a meeting with young people in Our Lady of Lebanon Basilica in Harissa. May 16 John Paul II receives in audience the President of Georgia, Eduard Shevardnadze . May 31 Pastoral Visit in Poland (31 May -10 June 1997). Apostolic Voyage 78 [English, Italian] June 16 Letters written by John Paul II to Benjamin Netanyahu , Prime Minister of Israel and to Yasser Arafat , President of the Palestinian Authority, for the Middle East peace process. June 24 Letter on Religious Freedom to the President of the Russian Federation, Boris N. Yeltsin . June 29 Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith document entitled Regulations for Doctrinal Examination "Agendi ratio" [English, French, German, Italian, Latin, Portuguese, Spanish]. August 15 Apostolic Letter Laetamur magnopere [Italian], approval and promulgation of the Latin official version of the Catechism of the Catholic Church [English, Italian]. Press Conference for the presentation by Card. Joseph Ratzinger [Italian] (9 September 1997). August 21 Pastoral Visit in Paris for the 12th World Youth Day (21-24 August 1997). Apostolic Voyage 79 [English, Italian] World Youth Day [English, Italian] September 27 Pastoral Visit to Bologna for the closing of the 23rd National Eucharistic Congress (27-28 September 1997). October 2 Pastoral Visit in Rio de Janeiro (2-6 October 1997). Apostolic Voyage 80 [English, Italian] October 19 Apostolic Letter Divini amoris scientia [English, French, German, Italian, Latin, Portuguese, Spanish] - St. Theresa of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face is proclaimed a Doctor of the Universal Church. October 19 In St. Peter’s Square a solemn proclamation of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face, Doctor of the Church - 33rd Doctor of the Church and 3rd women after St. Theresa of Avila and St. Catherine of Siena. November 16 Special Assembly for America of the Synod of Bishops (16 November-12 December 1997). Theme of the Synod: " Encounter with the Living Jesus Christ, the way to Conversion, Communion and Solidarity in America" . November 30 Holy Mass to inaugurate the 2nd year of preparation for the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 dedicated to reflection on the Holy Spirit. 1998 January 1 Apostolic Constitution Ecclesia in Urbe [Italian, Latin] on the new regulations of the Vicariate of Rome. January 3 Pastoral Visit to the people afflicted by the earthquake in the Italian regions of Umbria and the Marches. The Pope visits the towns of Annifo, Cesi and Assisi. January 15 Visit to the Mayor of Rome, Francesco Rutelli and the town council in Capitoline Hill. January 21 Pastoral Visit in Cuba (21-26 January 1998). Apostolic Voyage 81 [English, Italian] January 22 Meeting with the President of Cuba, Fidel Castro Ruz, at the Palacio de la Revolución. February 1 Pastoral Visit to the home of a Roman family in the Parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Prati, inaugurating Rome’s City Mission and the distribution of the Acts of the Apostles. February 21 Seventh Consistory of John Paul II for the creation of 20 new Cardinals (plus two Cardinals in pectore: Marian Jawarski e Janis Pujats, who will be published in the Consistory of 21 February 2001). Consistories [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish] March 7 John Paul II receives in audience the Secretary of State of the United States of America, Madeleine Albright . March 12 Letter to the President of the Holy See Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews in reference to the publication of the document entitled We Remember: A Reflection on the Shoah [English, Italian]. March 15 Beatification of Bishop Eugenio Bossilkov, first martyr against communist persecution raised to the honour of the altars. March 21 Pastoral Visit to Nigeria (21-23 March 1998). Apostolic Voyage 82 [English, Italian] March 25 Exchange of Ratification document of the Concordat between the Holy See and Poland . April 19 Special Assembly for Asia of the Synod of Bishops opens with the theme: " Jesus Christ the Saviour and his Mission of Love and Service in Asia: ... 'that they may have life and have it abundantly' " (19 April-14 May 1998). During the solemn opening of the Synod, the Pope announces his invitation to two Bishops from mainland China to attend (permission to leave China was denied). Bulletin May 15 John Paul II receives in audience their Majesties King Alberto II and Queen Paola of the Belgians. May 18 Motu Proprio Ad tuendam fidem [English, French, German, Italian, Latin, Portuguese, Spanish] - by which certain norms are inserted into the Code of Canon Law and Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches regarding the formulation of the profession of faith, published 30 June 1998. May 21 Motu Proprio Apostolos Suos [English, French, Italian, Latin, Portuguese, Spanish] - on the Theological and Juridical Nature of the Episcopal Conferences, published 23 July 1998. May 23 Pastoral Visit to Vercelli and Turin (23-24 May 1998): Veneration of the Holy Shroud . May 30 Meeting in St. Peter’s Square with the "Ecclesial Movements and New Communities". May 31 Apostolic Letter Dies Domini [English, French, German, Italian, Latin, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish] - to the Bishops, Clergy and Faithful of the Catholic Church on Keeping the Lord’s Day Holy, published 7 July 1998. June 9 Meeting with Cuban Bishops to examine future prospects following the Visit to Cuba. June 12 John Paul II receives in audience the President of the National Palestinian Authority, Yasser Arafat . June 18 John Paul II receives in audience the President of the Republic of South Africa, Nelson Mandela . June 19 Pastoral Visit in Austria . Apostolic Voyage 83 [English, Italian] September 14 Encyclical Letter Fides et ratio [Arabic, English, French, German, Italian, Latin, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish] - to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Relationship Between Faith and Reason, published 15 October 1998. October 2 Pastoral Visit in Croatia (2-4 October 1998). Apostolic Voyage 84 [English, Italian] October 11 Canonization of Bl. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Edith Stein, martyr. October 18 John Paul II celebrates his 20th Anniversary of Pontificate and 40th Anniversary of Episcopal Ministry (St. Peter’s Square). October 20 Official visit of the President of the Republic of Italy, Oscar Luigi Scalfaro (Rome, the Quirinale Palace). November 17 Meeting of the Bishops of Australia with the heads of the various dicasteries of the Roman Curia in connection with the Ad limina Visit and the Synod for Oceania (17-20 November 1998). November 22 Special Assembly for Oceania of the Synod of Bishops, entitled "Jesus Christ and the Peoples of Oceania: Walking His Way, Telling His Truth, Living His Life" (22 November-12 December 1998). Bulletin November 29 Holy Mass for the inauguration of the 3rd year of preparation for the Jubilee and presentation of Incarnationis mysterium [Arabic, English, French, German, Italian, Latin, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish] - Bull of Indiction for the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 . 1999 January 8 John Paul II receives in audience the Prime Minister of Italy, Massimo D’Alema . January 22 Pastoral Visit in Mexico City and St. Louis, USA for the Closing of the Special Assembly for America of the Synod of Bishops (22-28 January 1999). Apostolic Voyage 85 [English, Italian] January 22 Signing of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in America, in Mexico City. February 11 First "ad limina visit" of the Bishops of Laos and Cambodia. March 11 John Paul II receives in audience the President of Iran, Seyyed Mohammad Khatami . April 1 War in Kosovo: Archbishop Tauran , Secretary for Relations with States, in a Special Mission to Belgrade, brings the Holy Father’s personal message to the President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Milosevic . On 18 April, the Holy father also sends a message to the Patriarch of Moscow, His Holiness Aleksy II , in departure for Belgrade. April 4 John Paul II renews his appeal for peace in Kosovo in his Easter Message Urbi et Orbi [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish]. April 4 Letter to Artists [Arabic, English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish], published 23 April 1999. April 26 John Paul II receives in audience the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel, Ariel Sharon . May 2 Beatification of Padre Pio of Pietrelcina in St. Peter’s Square ( Homily [English, German, Italian, Portuguese]). At the end of the ceremony, the Pope went to the Square of St. John in Lateran by helicopter to recite the Regina Caeli [English, German, Italian, Portuguese] with those faithful who, due to such a crowd, were unable to enter into St. Peter’s Square. May 7 Pastoral Visit in Romania (7-9 May 1999). Apostolic Voyage 86 [English, Italian] May 8 In Bucharest, Romania, the Holy Father met with His Beatitude Teoctist , patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, and with the Holy Synod. At the end of the meeting, the Pope and Patriarch Teoctist sign a joint declaration for peace in Kosovo May 10 John Paul II receives in audience Prof. Ibrahim Rugova . May 12 The document The Gift of Authority , produced by the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission, ARCIC. June 3 Solemnity of Corpus Christi and Day of Prayer for Peace in the Balkans. June 5 Pastoral Visit in Poland (5-17 June 1999). Apostolic Voyage 87 [English, Italian] June 29 Letter concerning Pilgrimage to the Places Linked with the History of Salvation [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish]. June 29 Message to H.H. Karekin I , Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all the Armenians, severely ill. The Patriarch died that same afternoon. The visit of John Paul II in Armenia, scheduled for 2-4 July 1999, was postponed. September 9 John Paul II sends a Message to the Bishops of East Timor in which he expresses his closeness to those experiencing the horror of the civil war. September 19 Pastoral visit in Slovenia (19 September 1999). Apostolic Voyage 88 [English, Italian] September 30 Inauguration following the restauration of the facade of St. Peter’s Basilica. October 1 Second Special Assembly for Europe of the Sinod of Bishops, on the theme: "Iesus Christus vivens in Ecclesia sua, fons spei pro Europa" (1-23 October 1999). Bulletin October 1 Apostolic Letter issued Motu Proprio Spes Aedificandi [English, French, German, Italian, Latin, Portuguese, Spanish] - proclaiming Saint Bridget of Sweden, Saint Catherine of Siena and Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross Co-Patronesses of Europe. October 1 Letter to the Elderly [Arabic, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish], on the occasion of the International Year of the Elderly, promoted by the United Nations, published 26 October 1999. October 19 Offical visit of the President of Italy, Carlo Azeglio Campi . October 28 In St. Peter’s Square, the closing of the Inter-religious assembly "On the threshold of the III millennium: collaboration among the different religions" October 31 Prior to praying the Angelus [English, French, Italian, Portuguese], the Pope expresses his thanks for the signing today in Augsburg, Germany, by the Catholic Church and the World Lutheran Federation of the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish]; Official Common Statement by the Lutheran World Federation and the Catholic Church [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish]; Annex to the Official Common Statement [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish]. November 5 Pastoral Visit in New Delhi for the Conclusion of the Special Assembly for Asia of the Synod of Bishops and in Georgia (5-9 November 1999). Apostolic Voyage 89 [English, Italian] November 6 Signing - in the Sacred Heart Cathedral in New Delhi - of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in Asia [English, French, Italian, Portuguese]. November 14 Inauguration of the recently finished mosaic work and restoration of Redemptoris Mater Chapel, which is located inside the Vatican's Apostolic Palace. December 24 The start of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 : Opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica - Homily [French, English, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese]. December 25 Opening of the Holy Door of the Basilica of St. John Lateran. Homily [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese]. December 31 World-wide television coverage of the Holy Father’s message and Urbi et Orbi [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish] blessing for the passage into the Year 2000. 2000 January 1 Opening of the Holy Door of St. Mary Major Basilica - Homily [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish]. January 2 Children’s Jubilee . At the close of the event, the Pope was awarded the John XXIII International Peace Prize to the non-governmental organization "ATD - Aide a toute detresse - Quart Monde". January 18 Opening of the Holy Door of the patriarchal basilica of St. Paul’s Outside-the Walls and ecumenical celebration with the representatives of various Churches and ecclesial communities on the occasion of the beginning of the Week of Prayer for ChristianUnity - Homily [English, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish]. February 7 Inauguration of the new entrance of the Vatican Museums. February 15 John Paul II received in audience the president of the Palestinian Authority, Yasser Arafat and a Palestinian delegation, for the occasion of the signing of a Basic Agreement between the Holy See and the Palestinian Liberation Organization. February 22 In the Paul VI Hall, Commemoration of Abraham "Our Father in the Faith" , as the first gesture of his jubilee pilgrimage to the places linked with the history of salvation - Homily [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish]. February 24 Jubilee Pilgrimage to Mount Sinai (24-26 February 2000). Apostolic Voyage 90 [English, Italian] March 4 Visit of the President of Korea, Kim Dae-jung. March 12 The Day of Pardon of the Holy Year 2000 celebrated in St. Peter’s Basilica - Homily [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish] - cfr. Document Memory and Reconciliation: The Church and the Faults of the Past [English, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish], prepared by the International Theological Commission. (7 March 2000). March 20 Jubilee Pilgrimage to the Holy Land (20-26 March 2000). Apostolic Voyage 91 [English, Italian] April 30 First canonization of the Jubilee Year: the Pope canonized Polish Blessed Maria Faustyna Kowalska (1905-1938), virgin of the Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy - Homily [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish]. May 1 Celebration of the Jubilee of Workers at Tor Vergata, Rome - Homily [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish]. May 7 Ecumenical Commemoration of the Witnesses to the Faith of the 20th century, held at the Colosseum, Rome - Homily [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish]. May 12 Apostolic Visit in Fátima (12-13 May 2000). Apostolic Voyage 92 [English, Italian] May 13 At the end of the Beatification ceremony at Fatima of Francesco and Giacinta Marto, Cardinal Angelo Sodano announced that the "third part" of the secret of Fatima will be made public. The Message of Fatima [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish] will be published in its entirety on 26 June 2000. May 18 Celebration of the Jubilee of Priests and Holy Mass for the 80th birthday of the Holy Father John Paul II - Homily [English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish]. May 21 Canonization of 27 Blesseds, among which were 25 Mexican martyrs - Homily [English, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish]. June 5 John Paul II receives in audience the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin . June 13 John Paul II expresses his satisfaction for the clemency granted to Alì Agca by the President of Italy during this jubilee year. June 15 John Paul II lunches with 200 poor and homeless people to celebrate the Jubilee. June 18-25 Celebration of the 43rd International Eucharistic Congress held in Rome for the occassion of the Jubilee - Homily (Opening, 18 June 2000) [English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish] - Homily (Statio Orbis, Closing, 25 June 2000) [English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish]. June 24 Message for the Jubilee in Prisons [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish]. July 9 Visit to the Roman prison Regina Coeli to celebrate the Jubilee in Prisons - Homily [English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish]. August 15-20 Celebration of the 15th World Youth Day : more than 2 million young people were present at the Campus of Tor Vergata (Rome) for the Jubilee with the Pope. World Youth Day [English, Italian] September 3 Beatification of 5 Servants of God, among which were Pope Pius IX and Pope John XXIII - Homily [English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish]. September 5 Declaration Dominus Iesus [English, French, German, Italian, Latin, Portuguese, Spanish]on the Unicity and Salvific Universality of Jesus Christ and the Church, prepared by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (signed 6 August 2000). Press Conference for the presentation of the Declaration Dominus Iesus : Card. Joseph Ratzinger [Italian]; Mons. Tarcisio Bertone [Italian]; Mons. Fernando Ocáriz [Italian]; Rev. Angelo Amato , S.D.B [Italian]. October 1 Canonization of 123 Blesseds, among which were 120 Martyrs in China - Homily [English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish]. October 8 Jubilee of Bishops : in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope together with the bishops repeat the Act of entrustment [English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish] to Maria Most Holy before the statue of Our Lady of Fatima - Homily [English, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish]. October 14-15 Jubilee of Families - Homily (15 October 2000) [English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish]. October 17 Visit of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II of England and of H.R.H. Prince Philip , Duke of Edinburgh. October 31 Apostolic Letter in the form of Motu Proprio E sancti Thomae Mori [English, French, German, Italian, Latin, Portuguese, Spanish] for the proclamation of St. Thomas More as Patron of Statesmen and Politicians on the occasion of the Jubilee of Government Leaders and Politicians (4 - 5 November 2000). November 8 His Holiness Karekin II , Catholicos of All Armenians visits the Holy Father and the Church of Rome – Signing of the joint communiqué (8 - 11 November 2000) - Homily (10 November 2000) [English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish]. December 24-25 Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord in the Year of the Great Jubilee. The Holy Father celebrated both the midnight Mass - Homily [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish] - and traditional Christmas Urbi et Orbi [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish] message for the first time ever in St. Peter's Square. During the Christmas period, the Holy Father recited the Angelus every day from the window of his study while the crowds of the faithful waited in line to pass through the Holy Door. 2001 January 6 Closing of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica - Homily [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish] - and singing of the Te Deum [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish] following the conclusion of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 . Signing of the Apostolic Letter Novo millennio ineunte [English, French, German, Italian, Latin, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish]. January 25 Ecumenical celebration in the Basilica of Saint Paul's Outside-the-Walls, marking the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity - Homily [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish]. February 18 Divine Liturgy in the Armenian rite celebrated in St. Peter’s Basilica to mark the 1700th anniversary of the Baptism of the Armenian People - Homily [English, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish]. For the occasion, on 2 February 2001 the Holy Father signed the Apostolic Letter Dio meraviglioso [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish]. February 21 Eighth Consistory of John Paul II for the creation of 42 new Cardinals and the publication of 2 Cardinals in pectore since 1998 - Homily (21 February 2001) [English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish] - Homily (22 February 2001) [English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish]. Consistories [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish] February 22 The New Fundamental Law of Vatican City State [Italian, German, Portuguese] went into effect (signed by the Holy Father on 26 November 2000). March 11 Beatification of 233 Servants of God, martyrs in Spain from 1936 to 1939 - Homily [English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish]. May 4 Jubilee Pilgrimage in Greece, Syria and Malta on the footsteps of St. Paul the Apostle (4-9 May 2001). Apostolic Voyage 93 [English, Italian] May 21 Sixth Plenary Riunion of the College of Cardinals (Extraordinary Consistory) , called by the Pope to reflect with the College of Cardinals on the prospects of the Church in the Third Millennium, in light of Novo millennio ineunte (21-23 May 2001). Consistories [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish] June 23 Pastoral Visit in Ukraine (23-27 June 2001). Apostolic Voyage 94 [English, Italian] August 1 1,000th General Audience of the Pontificate of John Paul II. September 22 Pastoral Visit in Kazakhstan and Apostolic Voyage in Armenia on the occasion of the 1700 years of Christianity in the Country (22-27 September 2001) Apostolic Voyage 95 [English, Italian] September 30 X Ordinary General Assembly of the Sinod of Bishops, on the theme: "The Bishop: Servant of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the Hope of the World" (30 September-27 October 2001). Bulletin October 20 First Beatification of a married couple : Luigi Beltrame Quattrocchi and Maria Corsini. Homily [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish] October 24 Message to the International Meeting "Matteo Ricci: for a dialogue between China and the West", to mark the fourth centenary of the arrival of Jesuit missionary and scientist Matteo Ricci, S.J., in Beijing [Plurilingual]. November 18 Following the terrorist attacks of 11 September and during the war in Afghanistan, the Pope before praying the Angelus, invited Catholics to a day of fasting for peace ( 14 December 2001 ) and invited leaders of the world's religions to a Day of Prayer for Peace in the World in Assisi (24 January 2002) . Documentation [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish] November 22 Promulgation of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in Oceania . Following the signing of the document in the Vatican, the Pope sent the text of the Exhortation by e-mail to all the dioceses in Oceania. Text [English, French, Italian, Portuguese] Publication [Plurilingual] December 13 Meeting of the Pope with Bishops from the Holy Land, on the theme: "Peace in the Holy Land and the Future of Christians" [Italian]. December 16 300th Pastoral Visit of John Paul II to a parish within the diocese of Rome (which total 334). Statistics [English, Italian] 2002 January 18 Priestly Association of St. John Mary Vianney of Campos, Brazil, returns to full communion and is recognized as an Apostolic Administration. The Pope concedes the use of the Roman Rite and the liturgical discipline of St. Pius V [Italian]. January 24 Day of Prayer for Peace in the World at Assisi , with members of Churches and ecclesial communities and with representatives of other religions. Documentation [English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish] February 11 Creation of an ecclesiastical province and elevation to the rank of diocese of the four apostolic administrations of the Russian Federation . March 11 Pope John Paul II received in audience a Delegation of the Greek Orthodox Church, headed by Metropolitan d’Attikis, Panteleimon. April 7 Day of Prayer for Peace in the Holy Land, called by Pope John Paul II on Divine Mercy Sunday, as the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem was under siege. On 15 April, Pope John Paul II telephoned the Franciscan friars at the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem, expressing his solidarity with them and thanking them for their "Christian witness". On 1 May, the Holy Father sent Cardinal Roger Etchegaray in special Mission to Jerusalem. April 7 Apostolic Letter in the form of Motu Proprio Misericordia Dei on certain aspects of the celebration of the sacrament of penance. May 22 Apostolic Visit in Azerbaijan and Bulgaria (22-26 May 2002). Apostolic Voyage/96 June 16 Canonization of Blessed Pio de Pietrelcina. July 23 Apostolic Visit in Toronto for the XVII World Youth Day, Guatemala City and Mexico City (23 July - 2 August 2002). Apostolic Voyage/97 August 16 Apostolic Visit in Poland in occasion of the Dedication of the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Kraków-Lagiewniki (16-19 August 2002). Apostolic Voyage/98 October 4 Ecumenical celebration of Vespers in the Vatican Basilica, in occasion of the VII Centenary of the birth of Saint Brigit of Sweden, Co-patron of Europe. October 6 Canonization of Blessed Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer. October 7 Pope John Paul II met with His Beatitude Teoctist, the Orthodox patriarch of Romania, who has been on a visit to the Church of Rome and to the Pope. During the meeting, they exchanged speeches and signed a joint declaration. (7-13 October 2002). October 16 Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae on the Most Holy Rosary. The Pope introduces the "mysteries of light" and proclaims a Year of the Rosary (October 2002-0ctober 2003) - The beginning of the 25th year of Pontificate. October 31 An honorary citizenship of Rome is conferred on Pope John Paul II. November 14 Visit to the Italian Parliament in a public session held in the Palace of Montecitorio, Rome. 2003 January 25 Television linkup with Manila ( the Philippines) in occasion of the IV World Meeting of Families. March 5 In occasion of Ash Wednesday, day of fasting for the cause of peace, above all in the Middle East. During these weeks, the Pope meets numerous authorities and makes pressing appeals to avoid the danger of war in Iraq. The Holy Father names Cardinal Roger Etchegaray as his Special Envoy to the Iraqi Authorities in Iraq (10 February) and Cardinal Pio Laghi to the President of the United States of America in Washington (l March). March 6 Presentation of "Roman Triptych - Meditations", a book of poems by Pope John Paul II. April 17 Encyclical Letter Ecclesia de Eucharistia - on the Eucharist in its relationship to the Church. May 3 Apostolic Visit in Spain (3-4 May 2003). Apostolic Voyage/99. May 17 The Pope receives doctorate honoris causa in jurisprudence from "La Sapienza" University of Rome. June 5 Apostolic Visit in Croazia (5-9 June 2003). Apostolic Voyage/100. June 22 Apostolic Visit in Bosnia and Herzegovina (22 June 2003). Apostolic Voyage/101. June 28 Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in Europa. In the months thereafter, the Pope dedicated the meditations of the weekly Sunday Angelus to the Christian roots of Europe. September 11 Apostolic Visit in the Slovak Republic (11-14 September 2003). Apostolic Voyage/102. October 2 Visit of Dr. Rowan Douglas Williams, archbishop of Canterbury and primate of the Anglican Communion (2-5 October 2003). October 7 Pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompei, in the Year of the Rosary (which closed 31st October 2003) October 15 Meeting of the college of cardinals on doctrinal and pastoral aspects of the Pontificate of John Paul II (15-18 October 2003). October 16 XXV Anniversary of the Pontificate of His Holiness John Paul II. The signing and promulgation of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Pastores Gregis. October 19 Beatification of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. October 21 Ninth Consistory of John Paul II for the creation of 31 new Cardinals, including one “in pectore”. November 16 During the Angelus, the Pope makes and appeal for peace in the Holy Land: "the Holy Land does not need walls but bridges" December 3 Letter for the first centenary of the Motu Proprio by Pope Pius X Tra le sollecitudini, on sacred music (22 November 1903). December 4 Apostolic Letter Spiritus et Sponsa, on the 40th anniversary of the Constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium on the Sacred Liturgy. 2004 March 24 Conferred the International Charlemagne Prize, a prestigious award given annually by the city of Aachen, Germany, in recognition “of the Pope’s personal commitment, and that of the Holy See, in favor of unity among the peoples of Europe on the basis of the values rooted in the common human nature and efficaciously promoted by Christianity”. May 18 Publication of the book of John Paul II, Rise, Let Us Be On Our Way. June 5 Apostolic Visit in Bern in occasion of the National Meeting of Young Catholics of Switzerland (5-6 June 2004). Apostolic Voyage/103 June 29 The Holy Father receives in audience His Holiness Bartholomew I, ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople. Signing of the joint Declaration (28 June - 2 July 2004). August 14 Pilgrimage to Lourdes (France) in occasion of 150th anniversary of the promulgation of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception (14-15 August 2004). Apostolic Voyage/104 August 28 The delivery, by a delegation of the Holy See, of the Icon of the Kazan Mother of God to Patriarch Aleskij II, as a gift by the Holy Father to the Russian Orthodox Church and Russian people. October 7 Apostolic Letter Mane nobiscum Domine for the Year of the Eucharist (October 2004 - October 2005). October 17 Opening of the Year of the Eucharist, via television linkup with Guadalajara (Mexico), where the 48th International Eucharist Congress was being celebrated. November 4 Received in audience Mr. Ayad Allawi, Prime Minister of the Iraqi interim government. November 27 Delivery of the Relics of the Saints John Chrysostom and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church to the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I. 2005 February 23 Publication of the book of John Paul II, Memory and Identity.

—— POPE SAINT PIUS X ———— POPE JOHN PAUL II ——
Led the Catholic Church: 1903-1914   
Born: Giuseppe Sarto  
   Led the Catholic Church: 1978-2005
  Born: Karol Wojtyla

Some of you know that Pius X is my confirmation Saint.
Please let me explain why I include him in a page honoring Pope John Paul II.

I wanted to list a few similarities between PIUS X (a poverty-stricken farmer who became a great saint)
and JOHN PAUL II (the most influential Pole since St. Hyacinth).
——————— SAINT PIUS X ———————
——————— JOHN PAUL II ———————
Bravery: Bravery:

Cared for people during a plague without thought of his own health.
Stood up to world leaders.
Feared no one except his Creator.

 Willingly and knowlingly went into countries with hostile governments.
Stood up to world leaders.
Feared no one except his Creator.
Suffering: Suffering:
Lost his father at an early age.
Treated the entire world as if they were his children, and suffered with them.
Suffered tremendously because of the first World War, which he predicted.		 Lost his mother at an early age.
Treated the entire world as if they were his children, and suffered with them.
Was shot while tending to his duties.
Suffered in old age.
Piety: Piety:
Had a special love for Our Lady. Had a special love for Our Lady.