Pope Urges Democracy Over Violence in Iraq

AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE, Nov. 15 — Pope John Paul II, after a Nov. 15 audience with Albert Ismail Yelda, the new Iraqi ambassador to the Holy See, expressed hope that Iraq's upcoming elections would be “fair and transparent.”

The Holy Father spoke of his “ongoing concern for the many victims of terrorism and violence” and declared his wish that the Iraqi government “work untiringly to settle disputes and conflicts through dialogue and negotiation, having recourse to military force only as a last resort.”

Prime Minister Iyad Allawi has said the elections, scheduled for January, will proceed, even as the insurgency against American occupation continues unabated, particularly in the so-called “Sunni triangle,” despite the success of U.S. Marines against rebels in Fallujah.

The Pope stressed the need to maintain the “clear distinction between the civil and religious spheres” in order to protect both the rule of law and freedom of worship.

Trentino to Provide Vatican Christmas Trees

ANSA, Nov. 15 — The great Christmas tree that adorns St. Peter's Square in Rome will be donated by Italy's Trentino region this year. The 110-foot pine from Adamello Brenta Park will be cut at the end of November and then lighted at a ceremony Dec. 15 to the accompaniment of music and festivities from Trentino bands, choirs and folklorists.

Thirty smaller trees from the region will adorn the Vatican itself. The honor of providing the Vatican trees is awarded to a different part of Italy every year.

Pope Commends Christian Unity

ASSOCIATED PRESS, Nov. 13 — At a vespers service marking the 40th anniversary of Second Vatican Council's decree on ecumenism, Pope John Paul II lauded the progress made since then toward Christian unity.

The Holy Father read only the beginning and end of the prepared text, the body of which was delivered by a bishop. The remarks noted, “Thanks to God, many differences and misunderstandings have been overcome,” but also warned of “new problems, especially in the field of ethics, where new divisions have opened up that impede us from bearing witness together.”

The “new divisions” cited by the Pope are believed to be the problems created by female and homosexual ordinations in Protestant denominations.

Franciscan Missionaries Observe Centenary

AFRICA NEWS, Nov. 12 — The Franciscan Missionaries of Mary celebrated the 100th anniversary of the death of its founder, Mary of the Passion, Nov. 15. A native of Brittany, France, she was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2002.

Born Helen de Chappotin, she founded the Missionaries of Mary in 1877. The first missionary congregation to be originated by a woman, it now consists of 7,500 sisters from 80 nationalities serving in 77 countries. It is particularly strong in Africa, with sisters in 18 countries.

A statement from the East African Provincial House in Kenya declared that the centennial celebrations “will especially remember in practical ways the poor and displaced people of our countries, the special focus of the FMM at the present moment.”