Pope to Spain: Respect Catholic Traditions

THE TELEGRAPH (London), June 22 — Pope John Paul II on June 21 denounced the agenda of Spain's new government, calling for it to respect the country's Catholic religious and cultural traditions.

The Pope made his wishes known in a visit with Spain's new socialist prime minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, according to The Telegraph. The new government has promised to legalize same-sex “marriages,” relax the country's abortion laws and institute a fast-track divorce procedure.

The Holy Father told Zapatero to “conserve moral and cultural values as well as its Christian roots” and said he hoped the government would “give due attention to ethical values that are so rooted in the religious and cultural tradition of the population.”

Zapatero traveled to Rome specifically to see the Pope, the newspaper reported. However, his government gave no sign it was going to change its policies.

“We are going there with the will to listen but the Vatican must realize there is a new government and that this new government has positions,” said Spanish foreign minister Miguel Angel Moratinos. “Of course we respect the Catholic Church, but we are also very firm on questions that the majority of Spaniards want to see changed.”

BBC to Air Entertainment Channel in Vatican City

BBC, June 21 — If he wanted to, Pope John Paul II will soon be able to watch such British shows as “The Vicar of Dibley” and “East Enders,” to be made available at the Vatican beginning Aug. 1.

The British Broadcasting Corp. announced plans recently to begin broadcasting BBC Prime, its entertainment channel — which already claims 15 million subscribers across Europe, Africa and the Middle East — throughout Italy. Other shows available will include the homosexual drama “Tipping the Velvet,” the makeover show “What Not to Wear” and “Teletubbies.”

“We will be broadcasting in the Vatican for the first time and we hope all of our shows provide excellent entertainment,” a BBC spokesman said.

According to the BBC, the channel will reach 2.6 million households in Italy.

John Paul Will Be a Pilgrim Among Pilgrims in France

REUTERS, June 18 — When Pope John Paul II travels to Lourdes, France, Aug. 14-15, he'll do so as any ailing pilgrim who visits the grotto in Lourdes known for its healing waters where the Virgin Mary appeared in 1858.

The Holy Father also plans to stay overnight at a special residence for ailing pilgrims, Reuters reported. John Paul is making the visit in part to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception.

“The Pope will come as an ailing person making a pilgrimage to Lourdes … an ill man among the ill,” said Bishop Jacques Perrier, head of the Diocese of Tarbes and Lourdes in southwestern France.

The trip will be the seventh one to France for the Pope and, according to Reuters, will include an open-air Mass as well as a private visit to the grotto at Lourdes “for as long as he wants to pray there.”