Pontificate of pope John Paul II: an overview

VATICAN CITY, OCT 14-15, 1998 (VIS) - John Paul II was elected Pope on October 16, 1978, and his pontificate was solemnly inaugurated on October 22. What follows is a year-by-year overview of his papacy, listing its major events. Annual Messages (Lent, to Youth, for World Mission Day, etc.) and events, such as the Holy Father's January address to the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See and his Christmas and Easter liturgical celebrations, are not listed.

1978 - 1979 - 1980 - 1981 - 1982 - 1983 - 1984 - 1985 - 1986 - 1987 - 1988 - 1989 - 1990 - 1991 - 1992 - 1993 - 1994 - 1995 - 1996 - 1997 - 1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002


1978

Oct. 16
Cardinal Karol Wojtyla is elected successor to Pope John Paul I, becoming the 264th Pope of the Catholic Church. He is the first non-Italian Pope since Adrian VI (1522-23), the first Polish Pope, and the youngest Pope since Pius IX (1846-78). He takes the name John Paul II.
Oct. 17
First "Urbi et Orbi" radio message of John Paul II.
Oct. 22
Solemn inauguration of his ministry as Universal Pastor of the Church.
Oct. 23
John Paul II's historic embrace of Cardinal Wyszynski.
Oct. 25
First trip by new pontiff to Castelgandolfo: visit to the parish church and papal villa.
Oct. 29
First pilgrimage outside Rome to the Shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Mentorella.
Nov. 5
Visit of John Paul II 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.
Nov. 12
As bishop of Rome, John Paul II takes possession of St. John Lateran Basilica.
Dec. 5
John Paul II begins his pastoral visits to the parishes in the diocese of Rome: St. Francis Xavier at Garbatella.

1979

Jan. 24
John Paul II accepts the request for mediation in the border conflict between Argentina and Chile.
Jan. 24
Audience granted to the Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko.
Jan. 25
First pastoral visit of John Paul II outside Italy: to the Dominican Republic, Mexico (for the Third General Conference of the Latin American Bishops, Puebla) and the Bahamas.
Mar. 4
First papal Encyclical "Redemptor Hominis" (On the redemption and dignity of the human race), published March 15.
Mar. 13
John Paul II presides over funeral of Secretary of State Cardinal Jean Villot, who died on March 9.
Apr. 30
Archbishop Agostino Casaroli is appointed pro- secretary of state and pro-prefect of the Council for the Public Affairs of the Church.
June 2
Second pastoral visit of John Paul II outside Italy: to Poland (June 2-10).
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 Agostino Casaroli, secretary of state. (One additional Cardinal was reserved "in pectore," Chinese Ignatius Gong Pin-mei, whose appointment was published only in the consistory of June 28, 1991).
Sep. 29
Third pastoral visit of John Paul II outside Italy: to Ireland, the United Nations and the United States of America (September 29-October 8).
Oct. 2
John Paul II addresses the UN General Assembly in New York.
Oct. 16
Post-Synodal Pastoral Exhortation "Catechesi Tradendae," published October 25.
Nov. 5
First Plenary Assembly of the College of Cardinals on the themes: the structure of the Roman Curia; the Church and culture; the financial situation of the Holy See (November 5-9).
Nov. 28
Fourth pastoral visit of John Paul II outside Italy: to Turkey (November 28-30).

1980

Jan. 14
Opening of the Special Assembly for the Netherlands of the Synod of the Bishops on: "The pastoral action of the Church in Holland in the present situation" (January 14-31).
Apr. 4
Good Friday: John Paul II hears confessions of the faithful for the first time in St. Peter's Basilica.
May 2
Fifth pastoral visit of John Paul II outside Italy: Zaire, Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Ghana, Upper Volta, Ivory Coast (May 2- 12).
May 30
Sixth pastoral visit of John Paul II outside Italy: to France (May 30-June 2).
June 2
John Paul II's address to UNESCO in Paris.
June 21
Visit of President Jimmy Carter of the United States.
June 30
Seventh foreign pastoral visit: Brazil (June 30- July 12).
Aug. 8
For the first time John Paul II alludes to the events happening in Poland regarding Solidarnosc.
Sep. 26
Fifth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the theme: "The Role of the Christian Family in the Modern World."
Sep. 28
Pastoral visit to Subiaco and meeting with the European bishops.
Oct. 17
Official visit of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and of H.R.H. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Nov. 15
Eighth pastoral visit outside Italy: to West Germany (November 15-19).
Nov. 25
Pastoral visit to Capodichino (Naples), Potenza, Balvano, Avellino, after the earthquake.
Nov. 30
Second papal Encyclical "Dives in misericordia" (On the mercy of God), published December 2.
Dec. 19
Official visit of President Cviyetin Mijatovic of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
Dec. 30
Apostolic Letter proclaiming Sts. Cyril and Methodius, together with St. Benedict, co-patrons of Europe.

1981

Feb. 2
John Paul II meets with Rome's Chief Rabbi Elio Toaff, during his pastoral visit to the parish of Sts. Carlo e Biagio in Catinari.
Feb. 16
Ninth foreign pastoral visit: Pakistan, the Philippines, Guam (U.S.A.), Japan, and Anchorage (U.S.A.) (February 16-27).
May 13
At 5:19 p.m. Turkish terrorist Mehmet Ali Agca makes an attempt on the Pope's life while he was circling St. Peter's Square in a jeep before his Wednesday general audience. The Pope is brought to Gemelli Hospital where he undergoes a six-hour operation.
May 17
The Holy Father recites the angelus at Gemelli hospital: "Pray for the brother who shot me, whom I have sincerely forgiven."
May 31
John Paul II creates the Council of Cardinals for the Study of Organizational and Economic Problems of the Holy See, following a meeting of the Sacred College, November 5-9, 1980.
June 3
The Pope returns to the Vatican after 22 days of recovery at Gemelli Hospital.
June 20
John Paul II is newly hospitalized for a cytomegalovirus infection. On August 5 he undergoes a second operation; leaves hospital definitively on August 14, returns to the Vatican, then goes to Castelgandolfo on August 16. He was in the hospital a total of 78 days between May 13 and August 14.
July 13
First meeting of the Council of Cardinals for the Study of Organizational and Economic Problems of the Holy See.
Sep. 14
Third papal Encyclical "Laborem exercens" (On human work).
Nov. 13
In an address to the 21st conference of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization John Paul II urges the elimination of "absolute poverty, ... a condition in which life is so limited ... as to be beneath any rational definition of human decency."
Nov. 22
Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation "Familiaris Consortio" (On the Family), published on December 15.
Nov. 25
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger appointed prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Dec. 12
John Paul II sends delegates from the Pontifical Academy of Sciences to the presidents of the U.S.A., USSR, Great Britain, France, and to the U.N., to explain their document on the eventual consequences of the use of nuclear arms in Europe and the world.
Dec. 13
John Paul II requests prayers for the Polish nation, calling the situation a state of emergency.

1982

Jan. 6
Apostolic Letter "Caritatis Christi," for the Church in China.
Feb. 12
10th foreign pastoral visit: Nigeria, Benin, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea (February 12-19).
Mar. 21
Mass in St. Peter's Basilica for the Church in China.
Apr. 1
John Paul II receives credentials of the first British ambassador to the Vatican since the reign of Henry VIII.
May 12
11th pastoral visit outside Italy: to Portugal, one year after the assassination attempt in St. Peter's Square (May 12-15).
May 22
Mass in St. Peter's Basilica for justice and peace, and for peace between Argentina and Great Britain (over the Falkland Islands/Malvinas).
May 28
12th pastoral visit outside Italy: to Great Britain (May 28-June 2).
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. New Catholic-Anglican theological commission is announced.
June 7
John Paul II meets U.S. President Ronald Reagan for the first time; they pledge to work for world peace and justice.
June 10
13th pastoral visit outside Italy: to Argentina, in relation to the war between Argentina and Great Britain (June 10-13).
June 15
14th pastoral visit outside Italy: one-day trip to Geneva, Switzerland. John Paul II addresses the 68th session of the International Labor Conference.
Aug. 2
The Holy See announces diplomatic relations with Denmark, Norway and Sweden.
Aug. 29
15th pastoral visit outside Italy, and 28th within Italy: one-day trip to the Republic of San Marino and to Rimini, Italy.
Sep. 15
Private meeting with Yasser Arafat on the prospects for peace in the Middle East. Renewed appeal for peace in Lebanon, after the murder of president-elect Bechir Gemayel.
Oct. 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.
Oct. 19
Meeting with Italian President Sandro Pertini, at Castelporziano.
Oct. 28
Official visit of President Karl Carstens of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Oct. 31
16th pastoral visit outside Italy: to Spain, for the closure of the 4th Centenary of the death of St. Teresa of Avila (October 31-November 9).
Nov. 9
Message to the peoples of Europe from the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
Nov. 23
Second plenary session of the College of Cardinals: principle topic is the reform of the Roman Curia (November 23-26).
Nov. 26
John Paul II announces the Holy Year of Redemption: from Lent 1983 to Easter 1984.

1983

Jan. 6
Papal Bull "Aperite Portas Redemptori," announcing the Jubilee for the 1950th anniversary of the Redemption.
Jan. 25
John Paul II's Pastoral Constitution "Sacrae Disciplinae Leges," for the promulgation of the new Code of Canon Law.
Jan. 25
Promulgation of the new Code of Canon Law by John Paul II.
Feb. 2
Second consistory of John Paul II for the creation of 18 cardinals.
Mar. 2
17th pastoral visit outside Italy: Lisbon, Portugal, and Central America - Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Belize and Haiti (March 2-10).
Mar. 24
John Paul II accepts credentials of the ambassador from Sweden, re-establishing diplomatic relations after 456 years.
Mar. 25
Opening of the Holy Year of the Redemption (March 25, 1983-April 22, 1984).
Mar. 25
The Shroud of Turin is bequeathed to the Pope by the deposed King Umberto, whose family owned it since the Middle Ages.
June 16
18th pastoral visit outside Italy: to Poland (June 16-23).
July 8
Beatification of Fra Angelico.
Aug. 14
19th pastoral visit outside Italy: Lourdes, France (August 14-15).
Sep. 10
20th foreign pastoral visit: Austria (September 10-13).
Sep. 29
Sixth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on: "Penance and Reconciliation in the Mission of the Church" (September 29-October 29). At the final session Pope discloses his message to the heads of government of the U.S.A. and USSR calling for negotiations aimed at ending the arms race.
Oct. 16
Act of entrustment and consecration of the world to Our Lady of Fatima by John Paul II, together with the cardinals and bishops participating in the Synod of Bishops.
Nov. 5
Letter for the 500th anniversary of the birth of Martin Luther.
Nov. 24
Publication of the "Charter of Rights of the Family."
Dec. 11
First papal visit to a Lutheran congregation, participating in a prayer service at the evangelical Lutheran Church of Rome.
Dec. 27
Visit to Rebibbia prison and meeting with Ali Agca, the Turk who made an attempt on his life on May 13, 1981.

1984

Jan. 10
Full diplomatic relations at the level of apostolic nunciature and embassy between the Holy See and the United States of America.
Feb. 11
Pastoral Letter "Salvific Doloris" (On the Christian Meaning of Suffering).
Feb. 18
Agreement between the Holy See and the Italian Republic on the revision of the Lateran Concordat: new Concordat signed.
Feb. 22
John Paul II erects the Foundation for the Sahel.
Mar. 25
In spiritual union with all the bishops of the world John Paul II repeats the act of entrustment of mankind and all peoples to Mary Most Holy, made at Fatima on May 13, 1982.
Mar. 25
Apostolic Exhortation "Redemptionis Donum," to all men and women religious, published on March 29.
Apr. 9
Additional appointments to the Roman Curia: broad renovation of responsibilities of dicasteries and commissions.
Apr. 20
Apostolic Letter "Redemptionis Anno" (on the City of Jerusalem, sacred patrimony of all believers and crossroads of peace for the peoples of the Middle East).
Apr. 22
Conclusion of the Holy Year of Redemption 1983/84.
May 2
21st pastoral visit outside Italy: Korea, Papua-New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Thailand (May 2-12).
May 5
Apostolic Letter "Les Grands Mysteres," on the problem of Lebanon.
May 21
Official visit of Italian President Sandro Pertini, to John Paul II.
June 2
Official visit of John Paul II to the president of Italy.
June 12
22nd pastoral visit outside Italy: Switzerland (June 12-17).
July 7
John Paul II denounces apartheid in South Africa.
July 16
Visit of John Paul II to the massif of Adamello and meeting with Italian President Pertini (July 16-17).
Sep. 3
Publication of the Instruction of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on Certain Aspects of Liberation Theology.
Sep. 9
23rd foreign pastoral visit: Canada (September 9- 2).
Oct. 2
John Paul II tells the Pontifical Academy of Sciences that space belongs to all humanity and that satellites and other space vehicles should be regulated by just international agreements.
Oct. 11
24th pastoral visit outside Italy: Zaragoza, Spain; Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and San Juan, Puerto Rico (October 10-13).
Nov. 2
46th Italian trip: northern Italy (Milan, Varese, Pavia, Varallo, Arona) for the 4th centenary of the death of St. Charles Borromeo (November 2-4).
Dec. 11
Publication of the Post-Synodal Pastoral Exhortation "Reconciliatio and Poenitentia."

1985

Jan. 26
25th pastoral visit outside Italy: to Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Trinidad-Tobago (January 26-February).
Feb. 11
John Paul II establishes Pontifical Commission for the Apostolate of Health Care Workers.
Feb 19
Special audience with Israeli Prime Minister Simon Peres.
Feb. 27
Second official visit of USSR Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko.
Mar. 26
Apostolic Letter "To the Youth of the World" on the occasion of the United Nation's International Year of Youth.
Mar. 30
First International Youth Meeting in Rome (March 30-31).
Apr. 11
Pastoral visit of John Paul II to Loreto and meeting with Italian Bishops.
May 9
John Paul II declares venerable Fr. Junipero Serra (1713-1784, Franciscan missionary in California.
May 11
26th pastoral visit outside Italy: Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Belgium (May 11-21).
May 25
Third consistory of John Paul II for the creation of 28 new cardinals.
June 2
Fourth papal Encyclical "Slavorum Apostoli," published on July 2.
July 7
Holy Mass in the Pauline Chapel of the Vatican for the people of Czechoslovakia, in remembrance of Sts. Cyril and Methodius.
Aug. 8
27th pastoral visit outside Italy: Togo, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Republic of Central Africa, Zaire, Kenya, Morocco (August 8- 19).
Aug. 29
John Paul II announces the opening to historians of the secret archives of the papacies of St. Pius X (1903-14) and Benedict XV (1914-22).
Sept. 9
28th pastoral visit outside Italy: Kloten, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.
Oct. 4
Official visit of President Francesco Cossiga of Italy.
Nov. 17
Personal message of the Pope to Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbaciov for the Geneva summit.
Nov. 21
Third Plenary Meeting of the College of Cardinals on the reform of the Roman Curia (November 21-23).
Nov. 25
Second Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on: "The Twentieth Anniversary of the Conclusion of the Second Vatican Council" (November 25-December 8).

1986

Jan. 18
Official visit of Italian President Francesco Cossiga.
Jan. 31
29th pastoral visit outside Italy: India (January 31- February 10).
Feb. 19
Private audience with President Amin Gemayel of Lebanon.
Mar. 6
Official visit of Governor General of Canada, Jeanne Sauve.
Apr. 5
Publication of the Instruction "Libertatis conscientia" of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, on Christian freedom and liberation.
Apr. 13
John Paul II makes an unprecedented visit to Rome's main synagogue, the oldest Jewish group in the Diaspora; prays with Rabbi Elio Toaff and Giacomo Saban, president of Rome's Jewish community.
May 18
Fifth Papal Encyclical "Dominum et Vivificantem" (On the Holy Spirit), published on May 30.
June 3
The international "John XXIII Award for Peace" is given by John Paul II to the Catholic Office for Emergency Relief and Refugees of Thailand.
July 1
30th pastoral visit outside Italy: to Colombia and Santa Lucia (July 1-8).
July 15
Publication of the new "Enchiridion Indulgentiarum" (manual of indulgences).
Aug. 4
John Paul II presides over funeral for Cardinal Carlo Confalonieri, dean of the College of Cardinals, who died on August 1.
Aug. 26
Apostolic Letter "Augustinum Hipponensem" for the 16th centenary of the conversion of St. Augustine.
Oct. 4
31st pastoral visit outside Italy: France (East- Central region, October 4-7).
Oct. 27
John Paul II attends the First World Day of Prayer for Peace which he convened in Assisi with some 60 representatives of the main Christian and non-Christian religions.
Oct. 31
Official visit of President Paul Biya of the Republic of Cameroon.
Nov. 18
32nd pastoral visit outside Italy: to Bangladesh, Singapore, Fiji Islands, New Zealand, Australia and Seychelles (November 18- December 1).

1987

Jan. 13
Special audience with President of the Council of the People's Republic of Poland, General Wojciech Jaruzelski.
Jan. 19
Private meeting with Jordan's King Hussein about the situation in the Middle East.
Feb. 22
Instruction of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith on respect for human life.
Mar. 25
Sixth Papal Encyclical "Redemptoris Mater," (Mother of the Redeemer), describing the Virgin Mary's life as an image of obedience and a model of "femininity with dignity."
Mar. 31
33rd pastoral visit outside Italy: to Uruguay, Chile, and Argentina: celebration in Buenos Aires of the Second World Youth Day (March 31- April 13).
Apr. 30
34th pastoral visit outside Italy: to the Federal Republic of Germany (April 30-May 4).
June 6
Official visit of U.S. President Ronald Reagan.
June 6
On the vigil of Pentecost: Solemn opening of the Marian Year (June 7- August 15).
June 8
35th pastoral visit outside Italy: Poland (June 8- 14).
June 25
Official visit of President Kurt Waldheim of the Federal Republic of Austria.
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 rest (July 8-14).
Sep. 10
36th pastoral visit outside Italy: to U.S.A. and Canada (Fort Simpson) (September 10-21).
Oct. 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".
Dec. 3
His Holiness Dimitrios, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, visits John Paul II (December 3-7).
Dec. 11
Official visit with President Raul Ricardo Alfonsin of the Republic of Argentina.
Dec. 30
Seventh Papal Encyclical "Sollicitudo Rei Socialis" (On Social Concerns), published February 19, 1988. It criticized economic and political ideologies of the West and the East.

1988

Jan. 25
John Paul II's Apostolic Letter "Euntes in Mundum," for the millennium of the Baptism of Kievan Ru¥', published March 22.
Mar. 3
First publication of the financial report of the Holy See (for the year 1986) and the estimated budget for the year 1988.
May 7
37th pastoral visit of John Paul II outside Italy: to Uruguay, Bolivia, Paraguay and Peru (May 7-19).
May 21
Inauguration of the "Dono di Maria" shelter in the Vatican, entrusted to Mother Teresa's Missionary Sisters of Charity.
June 13
Delegation to Moscow led by Secretary of State Cardinal Casaroli for the celebrations of the Millennium of Kievan Ru¥'.
June 18
Official visit of President Corazon Aquino of the Republic of the Philippines.
June 23
38th pastoral visit outside Italy: Austria (June 23-27).
June 28
Apostolic Constitution "Pastor Bonus" for the reform of the Roman Curia.
June 28
Fourth consistory of John Paul II for the creation of 25 new cardinals.
July 2
Motu Proprio "Ecclesia Dei," establishing a commission "to be instituted ... to collaborate with the bishops, with the Departments of the Roman Curia, ... for the purpose of facilitating full ecclesial communion of priests, seminarians, religious communities or individuals until now linked to the Fraternity founded by Mons. Lefevbre, who may wish to remain united to the Successor of Peter in the Catholic Church."
July 4
Special audience with the prince and grand master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, H.H. Fra Andrew W.N. Bertie.
July 10
Solemn liturgy in the Byzantine-Ukrainian Rite in St. Peter's Basilica for the Millennium of the Baptism of Kievan Rus'.
Aug. 15
Solemn conclusion of Marian Year in St. Peter's Basilica.
Sep. 10
39th pastoral visit outside Italy: to Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Swaziland (September 10-20).
Sep. 30
Publication of the Apostolic Letter "Mulieris Dignitatem" (On the Dignity and Vocation of Women).
Oct. 8
40th pastoral visit outside Italy: to the European Institutions of Strasbourg and to the dioceses of Strasbourg, Metz and Nancy, France (October 8-11).
Nov. 19
Visit with President Ciriaco De Mita of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic.
Dec. 30
Apostolic Exhortation "Christifideles Laici."

1989

Mar. 8
Meeting of John Paul II and members of the Roman 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" (March 8-11).
Mar. 10
Reorganization of the pastoral government of the dioceses in Lithuania.
Apr. 20
Official visit of President Patrick J. Hillery of Ireland.
Apr. 28
41st pastoral visit outside Italy: Madagascar, La Reunion, Zambia and Malawi (April 28-May 6).
May 27
Official visit of U.S. President George Bush.
June 1
42nd pastoral trip outside Italy: Norway, Iceland, Finland, Denmark, Sweden (June 1-10).
July 17
Restoration of diplomatic relations between Poland and the Holy See.
Aug. 15
Angelus message in which the Pope reveals his wish to personally go to Lebanon as soon as possible.
Aug. 19
43rd papal trip abroad: to Santiago de Compostela for Fourth World Youth Day, and to the Asturias (August 19-21).
Aug. 27
Apostolic Letter on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Second World War.
Sept. 7
Appeal to the followers of Islam in favor of Lebanon.
Sept. 7
Apostolic Letter to all Bishops of the Catholic Church on the situation in Lebanon. World Day of Prayer for Peace in Lebanon.
Sept. 29
Official visit of Archbishop of Canterbury Robert Runcie.
Oct. 2
Joint statement of John Paul II and Archbishop Runcie.
Oct. 6
44th foreign pastoral visit: Seoul (Korea), Indonesia and Mauritius (October 6-10).
Nov. 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."
Dec. 1
Official visit of President Mikhail Gorbaciov of the USSR: marks the first time a Pope has met with the head of the Soviet government.
Dec. 21
New appointment of bishops in Czechoslovakia.

1990

Jan. 25
45th pastoral visit outside Italy: to Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Chad (January 25-February 1).
Mar. 15
Exchange of official representatives at the level of apostolic nuncio and special ambassador between the Holy See and the Soviet government.
Apr. 21
46th pastoral visit outside Italy: Czechoslovakia.
Apr. 22
John Paul II announces in Velehrad a Special Assembly for Europe of the Synod of Bishops.
Apr. 27
Official visit of President Mario Soares of Portugal.
May 6
47th pastoral visit outside Italy: to Mexico and Curacao (May 6-14).
May 25
48th pastoral visit outside Italy: to Malta.
Aug. 26
During his angelus message John Paul II appeals for peace in the Persian Gulf, following the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq.
Sept. 1
49th pastoral visit outside Italy: to Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda and Ivory Coast (September 1-10).
Sept. 30
Eighth General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the theme: "The Formation of Priests in Circumstances of the Present Day" (September 30-October 28).
Oct. 18
Promulgation of Code of Canons for Eastern Churches.
Nov. 24
"Ad limina" visit of Vietnamese bishops: for the first time all bishops are present.
Dec. 1
John Paul II accepts the resignation of Cardinal Secretary of State Agostino Casaroli and appoints Archbishop Angelo Sodano pro-secretary of State.
Dec. 21
Vatican Information Service transmits first bulletin in English and Spanish: destined for bishops and nuncios.
Dec. 25
From "Urbi et Orbi" message: "War is an adventure with no return." Papal appeal for peace in Persian Gulf.

1991

Jan. 15
Letter of John Paul II to U.S. President George Bush and to President Saddam Hussein of Iraq, in an attempt to deter a Gulf War.
Jan. 17
Start of Gulf War.
Feb. 5
Official visit of President Lech Walesa of the Polish Republic.
Feb. 28
End of Gulf War.
Mar. 4
Meeting at the Vatican of episcopal representatives from the countries directly implicated in the Gulf War.
Apr. 4
Fourth Plenary Meeting of the College of Cardinals on the theme: "The Church facing the threat against human life and the challenge of the sects."
Apr. 8
Meeting of the presidents of Episcopal Conferences (April 8-9), concerning the economic problems of the Holy See and the financial contribution of the bishops (Canon 1271, CIC).
Apr. 13
Reorganization of the Latin-Rite Catholic Church in the Soviet Republics of Belarus, Russia and Kazakistan.
Apr. 22
Official visit of the President of the Republic of Chile, Patricio Aylwuin Azocar.
Apr. 29
Meeting of Swiss bishops with the Holy Father and the Roman Curia.
May 1
Papal encyclical "Centesimus Annus" (The Hundreth Year), commemorating 100 years of papal social teaching, beginning with Leo XIII's "Rerum Novarum" of 1891.
May 3
Official visit of King Carl Gustav XVI of Sweden, and Queen Silvia.
May 10
50th pastoral visit outside Italy: to Portugal (May 10-13).
June 1
51st pastoral visit outside Italy: to Poland (June 1-9).
June 12
Announcement of a Special Assembly for Lebanon of the Synod of Bishops.
June 28
Fifth consistory of John Paul II for the creation of 22 new cardinals: named revealed of 1979 "in pectore," Cardinal Ignatius Kung Pin-Mei.
Aug. 13
52nd pastoral visit outside Italy: to Czestochowa (Poland) for the 6th World Youth Day and to Hungary (August 13-20).
Sept. 7
Holy See and Albania establish diplomatic ties.
Oct. 5
Ecumenical prayer service at St. Peter's Basilica, on 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.
Oct. 12
53rd pastoral visit outside Italy: to Brazil (October 12-21).
Nov. 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," (November 28-December 14).
Dec. 12
Ecumenical prayer service in St. Peter's Basilica, on the occasion of the Special Assembly for Europe of the Synod of Bishops.

1992

Jan. 1
Holy See recognizes Russian Federation.
Jan. 12
Holy See recognizes sovereignty of Croatia and Slovenia.
Jan. 27
Pope creates Assemblee des Ordinaires Catholiques de Terre Sainte.
Feb. 8
Diplomatic relations with Croatia, Slovenia, Ukraine.
Feb. 19
54th pastoral visit outside Italy: to Senegal, Gambia and Guinea (February 19-26).
Mar. 7
Promulgation of new General Regulations of the Roman Curia.
Mar. 11
Diplomatic relations with Kingdom of Swaziland.
Mar. 19
Trip to Sorrento, Castellamare di Stabia, Italy.
Mar. 25
Restructuring of Church in Poland.
Apr. 4
Diplomatic relations with Mongolia.
Apr. 7
Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation "Pastores Dabo Vobis" (Shepherds I give you).
Apr. 9
"Populorum Progressio" Foundation made public.
Apr. 30
102nd trip within Italy: Friuli region (to May 3).
May 13
Pope John Paul institutes World Day for the Ill, to be celebrated annually on February 11.
May 17
Beatification of Jose Maria Escriva de Balaguer, the founder of Opus Dei, and of Giuseppina Bakhita of Sudan.
May 23
103rd trip within Italy - Campania. Diplomatic relations with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Moldova.
May 25
Visit to Pope by Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury George Leonard Carey.
June 1
First "ad limina" of Bulgarian Episcopal Conference. Diplomatic relations with Republic of Nauru.
June 4
55th pastoral visit outside Italy: to Angola and Sao Tome and Principe (June 4-10).
June 19
104th trip in Italy: Lombardy (to June 21).
June 30
5,000th day of Pope John Paul's pontificate, which began October 22, 1978.
July 12
At the angelus John Paul II announces that he will go to Gemelli Hospital that evening for diagnostic tests.
July 15
Holy Father undergoes colic resection surgery. His gallbladder is removed due to gallstones. John Paul II is released from Gemelli Polyclinic on July 26.
July 29
Holy See-Israel working commission formed.
Aug. 22
Dramatic appeal for peace in the Balkans at angelus.
Sep. 21
Diplomatic relations between Holy See and Mexico.
Oct. 9
56th pastoral visit outside Italy: Santo Domingo, for the 5th centenary of evangelization of Latin America and Fourth General Conference of the Latin American Episcopate (October 9-14).
Oct. 17
Diplomatic relations with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan.
Nov. 6
First "ad limina" by Slovenia's bishops.
Nov. 11
Diplomatic relations with Belarus.
Nov. 16
Apostolic Constitution "Fidei Depositum," for new catechism, is made public; Catechism of the Catholic Church presented in Paris.
Nov. 27
Official visit of President Oscar Luigi Scalfaro of the Italian Republic.
Dec. 7
John Paul II officially presents the Catechism of the Catholic Church to representatives from the Roman Curia and to the presidents of doctrinal and catechetical commissions of episcopal conferences.
Dec. 25
Bishops of Albania appointed.

1993

Jan. 1
Holy See recognizes Czech Republic and Slovak Republic.
Jan. 9
At Assisi, special prayer meeting for peace in Europe and particularly in the Balkans (January 9-10).
Jan. 21
Official visit of Giuliano Amato, president of the council of ministers of the Republic of Italy.
Jan. 25
Pope announces new Ecumenical Directory.
Feb. 3
57th pastoral visit outside Italy: to Benin, Uganda and Khartoum (February 3-10). John Paul II announces that the synod for Africa will be held in the Vatican in 1994.
Feb. 11
1st World Day of the Sick.
Feb. 19
Official visit of President Milan Kacan of Slovenia.
Feb. 23
Motu Proprio "Europae Orientalis" with which Permanent Interdicastery Commission for the Church in Eastern Europe substitutes Pontifical Commission for Russia.
Mar. 19
Trip to Sabina-Poggio-Mirteto, Italy.
Apr. 25
58th pastoral visit outside Italy: to Albania. John Paul II ordains 4 bishops, restoring the hierarchy in a country that once declared itself officially atheist.
May 4
Pontifical Councils for Culture and for Dialogue with non-believers are joined: name is Pontifical Council for Culture.
May 8
Start of three-day trip to Sicily, Italy.
May 23
Pastoral trip to Arezzo.
May 29
Conclusion of the second Rome diocesan synod.
June 1
Church re-structured in Hungary.
June 4
"Centesimus Annus Pro Pontefice" Foundation announced.
June 8
First ambassador from Romania presents credentials.
June 9
Orthodox patriarch of Ethiopia received by Pope.
June 12
59th pastoral visit outside Italy: to Spain (June 12-17).
June 19
Trip to Macerata, Foligno, Gran Sasso, Italy. Ends June 20.
Aug. 6
Papal encyclical "Veritatis Splendor"; published October 5, 1993.
Aug. 9
60th foreign pastoral visit: Jamaica, Merida and Denver, for 8th World Youth Day (August 9-16).
Sept. 3
Holy Father receives Emperor Akihito of Japan.
Sept. 4
61st pastoral visit outside Italy: to Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia (September 4-10). First ever visit by a Pope to these countries.
Sept.23 John
Paul II receives Mikhail Gorbachev.
Sept.25 Trip
to Asti, Italy. Ends Sept. 26.
Oct. 16
15th anniversary of Holy Father's election.
Nov. 5
Lebanon's President Elias Hrawi on visit; invites Pope to his country.
Nov. 11
Pope 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.
Dec. 13
South Africa's President De Klerk visits Pope.
Dec. 16
Official visit of President Carlos Saul Menem of Argentina.
Dec. 26
Opening of the International Year of the Family of the Catholic Church.
Dec. 30
Signing of the accord on basic principles regulating diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Israel.

1994

Jan. 1
Motu Proprio "Socialium scientiarum" establishing Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences.
Jan. 6
Letter to the Italian bishops on the responsibilities of Catholics facing the challenge of the present historic situation.
Jan. 11
"Directives Concerning the Preparation of Seminary Educators" is released by Congregation for Catholic Education.
Jan. 26
Diplomatic relations with Federated States of Micronesia.
Feb. 2
Letter of John Paul II to Families, on the occasion of the International Year of the Family.
Feb. 11
Motu Proprio "Vitae Mysterium" establishes Pontifical Academy for Life.
Feb. 16
Diplomatic relations with Republic of Suriname.
Mar. 3
Official visit of President Richard von Weizsacker of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Mar. 3
Diplomatic relations with Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
Mar. 5
Diplomatic relations with Republic of South Africa.
Mar. 7
Official visit of President Vaclav Havel of the Czech Republic.
Mar. 17
Israeli Prime Minister Rabin visits Pope.
Mar. 19
Letter of John Paul II to heads of states around the world and to the secretary general of the United Nations regarding the International Conference on Population and Development at Cairo, to be held in September 1994.
Mar. 25
Diplomatic relations established with Cambodia.
Apr. 7
Vatican concert for the commemoration of the Shoah, in the presence of John Paul II and Chief Rabbi of Rome, Elio Toaff.
Apr. 8
John Paul II celebrates mass in the Sistine Chapel for the unveiling of the restored frescoes of Michelangelo.
Apr. 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'" (April 10-May 8).
Apr. 28
Holy Father falls, breaks femur. Goes to Gemelli Hospital the morning of April 29.
May 8
Concluding mass for synod of Africa.
May 10
Holy Father institutes cloistered monastery within Vatican.
May 22
Apostolic Letter to the bishops: "Ordinatio Sacerdotalis" (On Reserving Priestly Ordination to Men Alone).
June 2
Pope receives President Bill Clinton of the United States.
June 10
Diplomatic relations with Western Samoa.
June 13
Fifth plenary meeting of the College of Cardinals, with John Paul II participating, in preparation for the Jubilee of the Third Millennium (June 13-14).
June 15
Diplomatic relations at the level of apostolic nunciature and embassy between the Holy See and the State of Israel.
July 20
Diplomatic relations with Vanuatu.
July 24
Diplomatic relations with Kingdom of Tonga.
Sept. 5
Holy See delegation attends the International Conference on Population and Development, in Cairo from September 5-13.
Sept. 8
John Paul offers mass at Castelgandolfo for Bosnia-Herzegovina, after cancelling his planned visit to Sarajevo.
Sept. 10
62nd pastoral visit outside Italy: to Zagreb, Croatia (September 10-11).
Sept. 17
Start of two day trip to Lecce, Italy.
Sept. 29
Pope receives first Israeli ambassador to Holy See.
Oct. 2
Ninth general assembly of the Synod of Bishops: "The Consecrated Life and Its Role in the church and in the World" (October 2-29).
Oct. 8
International Meeting of Families with the Holy Father honoring the International Year of the Family.
Oct. 20
Publication of Pope John Paul's book "Crossing the Threshold of Hope": 21 languages, 35 countries.
Oct. 25
Beginning of working contacts of "permanent and official character" between the Holy See and the Palestine Liberation Organization, with a PLO office of representation to the Holy See and the nuncio of Tunisia responsible for contacts with the PLO.
Nov. 4
John Paul II visits Catania and Siracusa, Sicily. Ends Nov. 6: 117th trip within Italy.
Nov. 10
Apostolic Letter "Tertio Millennio Adveniente" to Bishops, Clergy and Lay Faithful on the Preparation for the Jubilee of the Year 2000.
Nov. 19
First ambassador from Jordan received.
Nov. 26
Sixth Consistory of John Paul II for the creation of 30 new cardinals, from 24 countries.
Dec. 9
"Women, Teachers of Peace" - Message for 1995 World Day of Peace -is made public.
Dec. 15
Letter to Children in the Year of the Family.
Dec. 18
Pope John Paul named Man of the Year by TIME Magazine.
Dec. 21
Diplomatic ties established with Macedonia.

1995

Jan. 11
63rd pastoral visit outside Italy: to Manila, the Philippines, for the celebration of 10th World Youth Day; to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea; Sydney, Australia; and Colombo, Sri Lanka. January 11-21.
Jan. 14
Message to Chinese Catholics, broadcast over Radio Veritas in Manila.
Feb. 4
Audience for Malta's President Mifsud Bonnici.
Feb. 17
Visit by Paraguayan President Carlos Wasmosy.
Mar. 16
Audience for Iraqi Vice Prime Minister Tariq Aziz.
Mar. 17
Audience for Foreign Affairs Minister Vladislav Jovanovic of Yugoslavia.
Mar. 19
Trip to Molise region: 119th within Italy.
Mar. 24
President Sixto Duran-Ballen of Ecuador on visit.
Mar. 25
11th Encyclical "Evangelium Vitae" ("The Gospel of Life"). Made public on March 30.
Mar. 28
Audience for Romanian President Ion Illiescu.
Apr. 29
Two-day pastoral visit to Trent, Italy: 450th anniversary of start of Council of Trent and beatification of John Nepomucene. 120th trip within Italy.
May 2
Apostolic Letter "Orientale Lumen" for the centenary of "Orientalium Dignitas" of Pope Leo XIII.
May 8
Message on the Fiftieth Anniversary of the End of the Second World War in Europe.
May 19
Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk Al Shara'a on visit.
May 20
Three-day pastoral visit to Czech Republic: 64th outside of Italy.
May 25
"Ut Unum Sint" ("That All May be One"), 12th papal encyclical. Published May 30.
May 26
Message to Gertrude Mongella, secretary general of U.N.'s Fourth World Conference on Women, scheduled for September in Beijing, China. Visit by President Kiro Gligorov of ex-Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
June 3
Two-day trip to Belgium is 65th pastoral visit outside Italy: beatification of Fr. Damien de Veuster.
June 11
Mass in St. Peter's Basilica for anniversary of end of World War II.
June 27
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I welcomed to Vatican.
June 29
Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles. Patriarch Bartholomew and the Holy Father give homilies in St. Peter's Basilica, and sign Common Declaration. Letter to Women (made public on July 10).
June 30
66th pastoral visit outside Italy: Slovak Republic.
July 12
121st trip within Italy: Les Combes for vacation.
July 17
Theme announced for Jubilee Year 2000: "Jesus Christ - Yesterday, Today, Always."
Aug 29
Audience for Mary Ann Glendon, head of delegation, and other members of Holy See delegation to UN Conference on Women, Beijing, September 4-15.
Sep. 2
Audience for Yasser Arafat.
Sep. 9
Two-day visit to Loreto on the occasion of the pilgrimage of European youth. 122nd Italian trip.
Sep. 14
67th foreign pastoral visit: to Africa for conclusion of Synod for Africa, Sep. 14-20. In Yaounde, Cameroon, the signing of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation "Ecclesia in Africa," the first time a document is signed outside the Vatican.
Oct. 4
68th pastoral visit outside Italy: to the USA (New York, Newark, Brooklyn, Baltimore). On Rome-NY flight, Pope crosses the 1 million kilometer mark.
Oct. 5
Address to United Nations General Assembly, commemorating 50th anniversary of founding of U.N.
Nov. 16
Apostolic Letter for the Fourth Centenary of the Union of Brest.
Nov. 17
Audience for President Carlos Alberto Reina of Honduras.
Nov. 23
One-day visit to Palermo, Sicily. 123rd trip within Italy.
Nov. 26
Opening Mass in St. Peter's Basilica for Special Assembly for Lebanon of the Synod of Bishops.
Dec. 8
Entrusts Rome with Citizens' Mission for the Jubilee Year.
Dec. 15
Receives Leah Rabin, widow of Yitzhak Rabin.

1996

Jan. 20:
State visit of French President Jacques Chirac.
Feb. 1:
First official visit by a Mexican head of state: President Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de Leon.
Feb. 5:
Departure for Latin America, 69th foreign visit: Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Venezuela. Until February 12.
Feb. 22:
Apostolic Constitution "Universi Dominici Gregis," On the Vacancy of the Apostolic See and the Election of the Roman Pontiff.
Mar. 28:
Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation "Vita Consecrata."
Mar. 30:
Trip to Siena: 124th within Italy.
Apr. 14:
One-day visit to Tunis: 70th foreign trip.
Apr. 19:
Crown Prince Hassan Bin Talal of Jordan received in audience.
May 4:
Two-day trip to Como: 125th in Italy.
May 17:
71st trip abroad: to Slovenia, through May 19.
May 25:
Audience for President Julio Maria Sanguinetti of Uruguay.
June 21:
Departure for Germany, 72nd foreign trip. Until June 23.
July 4:
Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi received in audience.
July 6:
"Moleben" in St. Peter's Basilica for 4th centenary of Union of Brest.
July 7:
Presides at liturgy in St. Peter's in Byzantine- Ukrainian rite for celebrations of 4th centenary of Union of Brest.
July 10:
Departure for Dolomite mountain vacation in Lorenzago di Cadore. Until July 23. 126th trip within Italy.
Sep. 6:
Start of second papal trip to Hungary, and 73rd foreign apostolic visit. September 6-7.
Sep. 19:
Departure for France on 74th foreign trip. To September 22.
Oct. 8:
Undergoes appendectomy at Gemelli Polyclinic. Returns to Vatican on October 15.
Nov. 1:
John Paul II marks 50 years of priestly ordination.
Nov. 7:
Four days of jubilee celebrations commence.
Nov. 13:
Address to World Food Summit at FAO headquarters, Rome.
Nov. 15:
Presentation of book: "Gift and Mystery: On the 50th Anniversary of My Priestly Ordination."
Nov. 18:
Audience for Mikhail Gorbachev.
Nov. 19:
Audience with President Fidel Castro of Cuba. Pope accepts invitation to visit in January, 1998.
Dec. 3:
Message to the Church Which is in China.
Dec. 4:
Visit by His Grace George Leonard Carey, archbishop of Canterbury and primate of the Anglican Communion.
Dec. 5:
Publication of Apostolic Epistle "Operosam Diem," to the faithful of the Milan archdiocese on the 16th centenary of the death of St. Ambrose.
Dec. 6:
Common Declaration signed by Pope, Anglican primate.
Dec. 10:
Visit of His Holiness Karekin I Sarkassian, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.
Dec. 13:
Pope, Catholicos sign Common Declaration.

1997

Jan. 14
Pope receives Lien Chan, vice president and prime minister of the Republic of China.
Jan. 25
Meeting in Vatican with His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of Cilicia of the Armenians. Signing of Common Declaration.
Feb. 3
Visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Feb. 14
President Fernando Henrique Cardoso, first official visit to the Vatican by a Brazilian head of State.
Mar. 10
Ireland's President Mary Robinson received by Holy Father.
Mar. 10
Holy See, Libya establish diplomatic ties.
Mar. 12
Letter to U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan on situation in Zaire.
Mar. 20
Visit by Jose Maria Aznar, president of Spanish government.
Apr. 12
Two-day trip to Sarajevo: 75th foreign pastoral visit.
Apr. 15
John Paul II welcomes U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
Apr. 25
Start of three-day pastoral visit to Czech Republic: 76th foreign trip.
May 10
Departure for two-day trip to Lebanon: 77th foreign pastoral trip.
May 16
Audience with Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze.
May 18
Pope John Paul celebrates 77th birthday.
May 31
Departure for Poland; until June 10. Is Pope's 78th foreign pastoral visit.
June 9
Diplomatic Relations with Cooperative Republic of Guyana.
June 16
President Alberto Fujimori of Peru welcomed to Vatican. Pope writes letters to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and to Yasser Arafat, president of the Palestinian Authority, in which he expressed concern for interrupted dialogue in Middle East peace process.
June 24
Letter to Cardinal John Baptist Wu Cheng-chung, bishop of Hong Kong, on the occasion of the scheduled July 1 return of Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty.
July 8
Holy See, Angola establish diplomatic relations.
July 17
Holy See approved as Observer to World Trade Organization.
July 18
Letter to Russian President Boris Yeltsin in which Pope expresses concern about a bill submitted to the Russian parliament "concerning freedom of conscience and religious associations."
July 22
Holy See signs United Nations conventional weapons ban.
Aug. 21
Departure for Paris for 12th World Youth Day. This four-day trip is Holy Father's 79th foreign visit.
Sep. 6
Telegram for the death yesterday in Calcutta, India, of Mother Teresa.
Sep. 8
Apostolic Constitution "Laetamur magnopere," with which the Holy Father approved and promulgated the official Latin version of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Sep. 27
Pope travels to Bologna, Italy, to participate in 23rd National Eucharistic Congress. Until Sept. 28.
Oct. 2
Departure for four-day visit to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for Second World Meeting with Families. 80th foreign trip.
Oct. 11
Meeting with President Carlos Saul Menem of Argentina.
Oct. 16
19th anniversary of John Paul II's election to the papacy.
Oct. 19
Pope proclaims St. Therese of Lisieux, also known as Therese of the Child Jesus, Doctor of the Church. She is the 33rd person, the third woman (with St. Catherine of Siena and St. Teresa of Avila), and the youngest Doctor.
Oct. 22
Anniversary of start of Pope John Paul's pontificate as he enters his 20th year.
Nov. 16
Pope inaugurates Synod for America, presides at Eucharistic concelebration in St. Peter's Basilica.
Nov. 26
Audience with Polish Prime Minister Jerzy Buzek.
Dec. 4
Holy See signs Convention banning land mines, offers $100,000 to victims.
Dec. 20
Papal letter to Cuban people on the occasion of Christmas and his forthcoming trip to their country.

1998

Jan. 15
Communique announces Holy See-Palestinian Mixed Commission.
Jan. 16
Holy See and Patriarchate of Moscow issue joint communique after annual meeting.
Jan. 17
Holy See remits excommunication of Fr. Tissa Balasuriya, O.M.I.
Jan. 18
Pope names 20 new cardinals, announces another two "in pectore."
Jan. 21
John Paul II leaves for Cuba, on his 81st pastoral visit outside of Italy. Until January 26.
Jan. 22
Fidel Castro and Pope meet in Havana.
Feb. 1
Holy Father visits Roman family in their home.
Feb. 2
Pope John Paul presents new Apostolic Constitution "Ecclesia in Urbe" to Cardinal Ruini, vicar of Rome. Also, the celebration of the Second Day for Consecrated Life.
Feb. 7
Pope presides at funeral mass for Cardinal Eduardo Pironio, president emeritus of the Pontifical Council for the Laity. First ambassador of Angola presents credentials.
Feb. 10
John Paul II receives President Boris Yeltsin of Russia.
Feb. 15
Holy See nuncio to U.N., Archbishop Renato Martino, conveys papal message to Secretary General Kofi Annan, encouraging him to undertake trip to Iraq to attempt to solve crisis which developed there in recent weeks.
Feb. 16
First ambassador from Libya received.
Feb. 17
Holy See ratifies land mine convention.
Feb. 21
Consistory to create 20 new cardinals; is the seventh of John Paul II's pontificate.
Mar. 7
Audience granted to U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
Mar. 10
The Congregations for Catholic Education and for the Clergy present a book containing the documents: "Basic Norms for the Formation of Permanent Deacons," and "The Directory for the Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons."
Mar. 14
Pope signs Letter returning liturgical faculties to Syro-Malabar Church.
Mar. 16
Presentation of Holy See document, "We Remember: A Reflection on the Shoah."
Mar. 21
Holy Father leaves for Nigeria, 82nd foreign pastoral trip.
Mar. 26
Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran leaves on visit to Jordan and Yemen.
Mar. 27
Pope receives Cuban Foreign Minister Roberto Robaina Gonzales.
Apr. 2
Audiences for Fares Bouez and Amre Moussa, respectively foreign ministers of Lebanon and Egypt.
Apr. 16
Presentation of the volume "Serving the Human Family: The Holy See at the Major United Nations Conferences," produced by the Holy See Permanent Observer Mission to the U.N. in New York.
Apr. 19
Opening of Synod for Asia.
May 6
Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano presides at funeral Mass for Swiss Guard Commander Alois Estermann and his wife, killed on May 4.
May 14
Concluding Mass for Asian Synod in St. Peter's Basilica.
May 15
Pope receives King Albert II and Queen Paola of the Belgians.
May 18
Pope John Paul's 78th birthday. Audience for President Adamkus of Lithuania.
May 19
Audiences for Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien and Iraqi Vice Prime Minister Tarek Aziz.
May 23
Holy Father departs for Turin, his 132nd trip within Italy. Until May 24.
June 8
Cuban bishops start weeklong visit to Roman Curia.
June 9
Former Secretary of State Cardinal Agostino Casaroli dies.
June 12
Audience granted to Yasser Arafat, president of the Palestinian Authority.
June 16
Pope receives U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan. Holy See Permanent Observer to the United Nations, Archbishop Renato Martino, addressed the U.N.-sponsored conference in Rome for the establishment of an international criminal court.
June 19
Start of Pope's third trip to Austria: 83rd foreign apostolic visit. To June 21.
June 25
Presentation of Joint Declaration on Justification prepared by Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and Lutheran World Federation.
June 30
Publication of John Paul II's Apostolic Letter Motu Proprio "Ad Tuendam Fidem."
July 7
Presentation of Apostolic Letter "Dies Domini," on keeping holy the Lord's Day.
July 23
Publication of "Apostolos Suos," Pope John Paul's "Apostolic Letter Issued Motu Proprio On the Theological and Juridical Nature of Episcopal Conferences." Dated May 21.
Aug. 22
Notification from Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on the writings of Fr. Anthony de Mello, S.J.
Sep. 18
Departure for two-day trip to Chiavari and Brescia: 134th trip within Italy.
Sep. 24
Holy See and Kazakhstan sign agreement on bilateral relations.
Sep. 29
Pope receives King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain.
Oct. 2
Departure for Croatia, 84th foreign pastoral visit.
Oct. 3
Beatification of Croatia's Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac.
Oct. 11
Canonization of Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein).
Oct. 12
Diplomatic ties established between Holy See and Republic of Yemen.
Oct. 15
Pope John Paul's 13th encyclical published: "Fides et Ratio."
Oct. 16
John Paul II elected to papacy 20 years ago today.
Oct. 18
John Paul II celebrates his 20th Anniversary of Pontificate and 40th Anniversary of Episcopal Ministry. (St. Peter's Square).
Oct. 20
Official visit of the President of the Republic of Italy, Oscar Luigi Scalfaro (Rome, the Quirinale Palace).
Nov. 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).
Nov. 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).
Nov. 29
Holy Mass for the inauguration of the 3rd year of preparation for the Jubilee and presentation of Incarnationis mysterium Bull of Indiction for the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000.

1999

Jan. 8
John Paul II receives in audience the Prime Minister of Italy, Massimo D'Alema.
Jan. 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 Trip/85
Jan. 22
Signing of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in America, in Mexico City.
Feb. 11
First "ad liminaVisit" of the Bishops of Laos and Cambodia.
Mar. 11
John Paul II receives in audience the President of Iran, Seyyed Mohammad Khatami.
Apr. 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 Alesky II, in departure for Belgrade.
Apr. 4
John Paul II renews his appeal for peace in Kosovo in his Easter Message "Urbi et Orbi".
Apr. 4
Letter of His Holiness John Paul II to Artists, published 23 April 1999.
Apr. 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. At the end of the ceremony, the Pope went to the Square of St. John in Lateran by helicopter to recite the Regina Caeli 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 Trip/86
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 Trip/87
June 29
Letter of John Paul II concerning Pilgrimage to the Places Linked with the History of Salvation.
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, was postponed.
Sep. 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.
Sep. 19
Pastoral visit in Slovenia for the Beatification of Anton Martin Slom'ek in Maribor (19 September 1999). Apostolic Trip/88
Sep. 30
Inauguration following the restauration of the facade of St. Peter's Basilica.
Oct. 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).
Oct. 1
Apostolic Letter Issued Motu Proprio Spes aedificandi Proclaiming Saint Bridget of Sweden, Saint Catherine of Siena and Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross Co-Patronesses of Europe.
Oct. 1
Letter to the Elderly, on the occasion of the International Year of the Elderly, promoted by the United Nations, published 26 October 1999.
Oct. 19
Offical visit of the President of Italy, Carlo Azeglio Campi.
Oct. 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"
Oct. 31
Prior to praying the angelus, 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.
Nov. 5
Pastoral Visit in New Delhi (India) - for the Conclusion of the Special Assembly for Asia of the Synod of Bishops - and in Georgia (5-9 November 1999). Pastoral Visit/89
Nov. 6
Signing - in the Sacred Heart Cathedral in New Delhi - of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation "Ecclesia in Asia".
Nov. 14
Inauguration of the recently finished mosaic work and restoration of Redemptoris Mater Chapel, which is located inside the Vatican's Apostolic Palace.
Dec. 24
The start of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000: Opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica.
Dec. 25
Opening of the Holy Door of the Basilica of St. John Lateran
Dec. 31
World-wide television coverage of the Holy Father's message and 'Urbi et Orbi' blessing for the passage into the Year 2000.

2000

Jan. 1
Opening of the Holy Door of St. Mary Major Basilica.
Jan. 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.'
Jan. 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.
Feb. 7
Inauguration of the new entrance of the Vatican Museums.
Feb. 15
John Paul II received in audience Yasser Arafat, president of the Palestinian Authority, and a Palestinian delegation, for the occasion of the signing of a Basic Agreement between the Holy See and the Palestinian Liberation Organization.
Feb. 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..
Feb. 24
Jubilee Pilgrimage to Mount Sinai [Egypt] (24-26 February 2000). Apostolic Trip/90
Mar. 4
Visit of State of the President of Korea, Kim Dae-jung, the first Korean head of state ever to be received by John Paul II and the first Catholic Korean president to visit the Vatican. Diplomatic relations were established between the Holy See and the Republic of Korea in 1963.
Mar. 12
The Day of Pardon of the Holy Year 2000 celebrated in St. Peter's Basilica - cfr. Document "Memory and Reconciliation: The Church and the Faults of the Past", prepared by the International Theological Commission. (7 March 2000).
Mar. 20
Jubilee Pilgrimage to the Holy Land [Jordan, Autonomous Territories of the Palestinian National Authorities, Israel, Jerusalem] (20-26 March 2000). Apostolic Trip/91
Apr. 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.
May 1
Celebration of the Jubilee of Workers at Tor Vergata, Rome.
May 7
Ecumenical Commemoration of the Witnesses to the Faith of the 20th century, held at the Colosseum, Rome.
May 12
Pastoral Visit in Fatima (Portugal) for the beatification - 13 May - of the 2 shepherd children Francesco and Giacinto Marto (12-13 May 2000). Apostolic Trip/92
May 13
Cardinal Angelo Sodano announced that the "third part" of the secret of Fatima will be made public. The " Messsage of Fatima " 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.
May 21
Canonization of 27 Blesseds, among which were 25 Mexican martyrs.
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 Ali 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.
June 24
Message of the Holy Father for the Jubilee in Prisons.
July 9
Visit to the Roman prison "Regina Coeli" to celebrate the Jubilee in Prisons.
August 1
Papal Message for World Tourism Day. Archbishop Tauran, secretary of Relations with States, receives U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
August 9
Archbishop Tauran receives Palestinian Minister of Cooperation Nabil Shaath.
August 14
Israel interim Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben Ami received by Archbishop Tauran.
August 15
Pope opens 15th World Youth Day.
August 19
and Sunday 20: Vigil and papal Mass to close 15th World Youth Day in presence of more than 2 million young people. Pope announces that 2002 youth day will be in Toronto, Canada.
August 24
Declaration from Pontifical Academy for Life on production and scientific and therapeutic use of human embryonic stem cells.
August 29
Pope declares at a congress that human cloning is morally unacceptable.
September 3
Pope beatifies Popes Pius IX and John XXIII, Bishop Tommaso Reggio, Fr. Guillaume-Joseph Chaminade and Abbot Columba Marmion.
September 4
Cardinal Augusto Vargas Alzamora, S.J., dies.
September 5
Presentation of document of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith: "Declaration 'Dominus Iesus' on the Unicity and Salvific Universality of Jesus Christ and the Church."
September 8
Cardinal Secretary of State addresses the United Nations' Millennium Summit in New York.
September 10
Mass for Jubilee of Universities.
September 11
Audience for Mireya Elisa Moscoso Rodriguez, president of the Republic of Panama.
September 12
Olusegun Obasanjo, president of Nigeria, welcomed.
September 14
Cardinal Roger Etchegaray on third trip to China: visits Beijing September 14-16 to participate in symposium on "Religions and Peace." Pope welcomes Andrej Bajuk, prime minister of the Republic of Slovenia.
September 15
Jubilee of Pontifical Representatives: Mass with Cardinal Sodano and audience with Pope John Paul.
September 16
Holy See and Lithuania sign Accords.
September 17
Jubilee of the Elderly, Eucharistic celebration in St. Peter's Square.
September 18
Audience for Algirdas Saudargas, foreign minister of Lithuania.
September 21
Audience for Nicaragua's Foreign Minister Eduardo Montealegre Rivas.
September 22
Pope welcomes Hungarian President Ferenc Madl. Cardinal Vincenzo Fagiolo dies.
September 23
Cardinal Angelo Sodano celebrates 50 years of priestly ordination.
September 24
Mass for 20th International Mariological-Marian Congress and for Jubilee of Shrines.
September 26
Cardinal Paul Gouyon dies.
October 1
Pope canonizes 123 Blesseds, including 120 martyrs (87 of Chinese origin and 33 missionaries in China), Katherine Drexel, Josephine Bakhita and Maria Josefa del Corazon de Jesus Sancho de Guerra. Before reciting angelus, Pope upholds "Dominus Iesus" and assures Catholic faithful in China of his prayers.
October 5
Cardinal Egano Righi-Lambertini dies.
October 6
Pope receives Emil Constantinescu, president of Romania. Bishops, at start of their Jubilee, collect 9,000 to give to Pope.
October 7
For Jubilee of Bishops. Pope, bishops, and faithful pray the rosary in St. Peter's Square before the statue of Our Lady of Fatima, brought to the Vatican from Portugal.
October 8
Papal Mass concludes Jubilee of Bishops, attended by 80 cardinals and over 1,500 bishops. Act of Entrustment to Mary.
October 10
Holy See Permanent Observer Archbishop Renato Martino signs two Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child at U.N. headquarters.
October 11
Cardinal Pietro Palazzini dies. Cardinal Angelo Sodano receives Israeli Minister of Regional Cooperation Shimon Peres.
October 13
Audience for Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, vice president of the Philippines.
October 14
Start of Jubilee of Families: 300,000 gather for afternoon celebration with John Paul II. Pope receives President Gustavo Noboa Bejarano of Ecuador.
October 15
Mass for Jubilee of Families. Pope marries 8 couples.
October 16
22nd anniversary of election of John Paul to pontificate.
October 17
Pope John Paul's pontificate becomes 7th longest in history, including that of St. Peter. Holy Father welcomes Queen Elizabeth II to Vatican.
October 19
Jubilee of Sovereign Military Order of Malta. Agreement signed between Holy See and Organization of African States.
October 22
Mass for World Mission Day and the Jubilee of Missions. Start of 23rd year of Pope John Paul's pontificate, solemnly inaugurated on October 22, 1978.
October 26
Pope welcomes Mayor Kamil Ishkakov of Kazan, Tatarstan, Russian Federation.
October 29
Mass in Rome's Olympic Stadium for Jubilee of Athletes.
October 31
Apostolic Letter in form of 'Motu Proprio' proclaiming St. Thomas More as Patron Saint of Statesmen and Politicians.
November 1
Solemnity of All Saints, 50th anniversary of dogmatic definition of the Assumption of Mary into heaven. Eucharistic celebration in St. Peter's Square.
November 6
Announcement that Pope John Paul will go to Ukraine in June 2001.
November 8
Agreement signed between Holy See and Latvia.
November 9
Holy Father welcomes His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all Armenians.
November 10
John Paul II and Karekin II issue joint communique.
November 12
Mass for Jubilee of Agricultural World.
November 14
End of visit by Holy See officials to People's Republic of Korea.
November 19
Mass for the Jubilee of the Armed Forces and Police. Start of Jubilee of the Syro-Antiochean and Syro-Malankara Churches.
November 21
Pontifical Council for the Family publishes document entitled "Family, Marriage and 'de facto' Unions." Pope welcomes Islam Abduganievic Karimov, president of Uzbekistan.
November 23
Publication of document by Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith "Instruction on Prayers for Healing."
November 24
Jubilee of Catholic Jurists. Basic Agreement between Holy See and Slovakia. Pope receives Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda of the Republic of Slovakia.
November 25
Publication of Pope John Paul's Message for 38th World Day of Prayer for Vocations on May 6, 2001 on the theme "Life as Vocation." Pope appoints His Beatitude Ignace Moussa I Daoud, patriarch of Antioch of the Syrians, as prefect of the Congregation for Oriental Churches.
November 26
Mass for Jubilee of the Laity and World Congress of Catholic Laity.
November 28
Audience for King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain.
November 30
Pope receives President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea.
December 1
Audience for Hanna Nasser, mayor of Bethlehem.
December 3
First Sunday of Advent. Mass for Jubilee of the Disabled.
December 10
Jubilee of Catechists and Teachers of Religion.
December 11
Audience for Vojislav Kostunica, president of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
December 14
Papal Message for World Day of Peace 2001: "Dialogue between Cultures for a Civilization of Love and Peace."
December 17
Mass for the Jubilee of the World of Entertainment.
December 18
Audience for President Rudolf Schuster of Slovak Republic.
December 25
2000th anniversary of the Nativity of Our Lord.

2001

January 1
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and 34th World Day of Peace. Papal Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Peter's Square.
January 2
Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, president of the Central Committee for the Great Jubilee 2000, celebrated Mass in Bethlehem to mark the close of the Jubilee in the Holy Land.
January 4
Audience for Argentinean minister of foreign affairs, of international trade, of religious worship, Adalberto Rodriguez Giavarini.
January 6
Feast of the Epiphany; Pope John Paul closes Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica, thus closing the Jubilee Year 2000 after 379 days. Publication of Apostolic Letter "Novo millennio ineunte."
January 7
Eighteen children baptized by Pope.
January 8
Holy Father awarded United States Congressional Medal of Honor in recognition for his commitment to the defense of human dignity.
January 12
Audience for Alberto Leoncini Bartoli, new ambassador of Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
January 15
Annual papal speech to diplomatic corps. Audience for Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov.
January 19
Audience for Alwi Shihab, foreign minister of Indonesia.
January 21
John Paul II names 37 new cardinals.
January 22
Letters of Credence of Mostafa Borujerdi, new ambassador from Iran.
January 24
Publication of Pope's Message for 35th World Communications Day 2001, "'Preach from the Housetops': The Gospel in the Age of Global Communications." Audience for Greek President Constantinos Stephanopoulos.
January 28
Holy Father names 5 new cardinals, reveals 2 "in pectore" (Cardinals Marian Jaworski, Ukraine, and Janis Pujats, Latvia).
February 1
Annual discourse to Roman Rota: the nature of marriage. Vatican City State receives new constitution.
February 2
Feast of Presentation of the Lord, Fifth World Day of Consecrated Life.
February 3
First "ad limina" visit by Albanian prelates since end of communist dictatorship.
February 8
Death of Cardinal Giuseppe Casoria, former prefect of Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of Sacraments, at the age of 92.
February 11
Publication of Pope John Paul's Letter for the Ninth World Day of the Sick; celebrations in Sydney, Australia.
February 12
Pope and Patriarch Gregory III of Antioch of the Greek-Melkite Catholics concelebrate Mass. Papal audience for patriarch and entourage. Vatican Radio celebrates its 70th anniversary.
February 13
Letters of Credence of Walter Greinert, ambassador of Austria. Message for 87th World Day of Migration.
February 15
Publication of Message for 16th World Youth Day.
February 16
Letters of Credence of Peru's new ambassador, Alberto Montagne Vidal.
February 17
Apostolic Letter (dated February 2) for 1700th anniversary of Baptism of the Armenian People. Holy Father welcomes delegation from Church of Scotland.
February 20
Audience for President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt.
February 21
Consistory for the creation of 44 new cardinals. Death of Cardinal Jose Ali Lebrun Moratinos, former archbishop of Caracas, Venezuela, at the age of 81.
February 22
Pope concelebrates Mass with new cardinals, bestows cardinalate ring.
February 26
Notification on the 1997 book by Fr. Jacques Dupuis, S.J., "Toward a Christian Theology of Religious Pluralism." Audiences for Mikhail Mikhailovich Kasianov, president of the Council of the Russian Federation and Wladislaw Bartoszewski, Polish minister of foreign affairs.
February 28
Ash Wednesday, Pope presides Liturgy of the Word in St. Sabina Basilica.
March 2
John Paul welcomes President Emile Lahoud of Lebanon.
March 3
Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran left on visit to Teheran, Iran.
March 11
233 Spanish martyrs are beatified; largest beatification ceremony in history.
March 15
Audience for Koichiro Matsuura, director general of UNESCO.
March 16
Pope welcomes Hungary's Foreign Minister Janos Martonyi.
March 31
Annual meeting with Apostolic Penitentiary: Pope says psychological practices do not replace sacrament of Penance. Audience for Vitaly Litvin, representative of Russian Federation to the Holy See, his wife and entourage.
April 2
Letter to Priests for Holy Thursday 2001: Pope asks priests to rediscover sacrament of Penance. Audience for Jozef Migas, president of the parliament of the Slovak Republic.
April 5
Audience for President Fernando de la Rua of Argentina.
April 6
Welcome for Adrian Nastase, prime minister of Romania.
April 7
Letters of Credence of Oto Agripino Maia, ambassador of Brazil.
April 8
Palm Sunday, celebration of 16th World Youth Day.
April 23
Audience for Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri and Jaime Jose Matos da Gama, foreign minister of Portugal.
April 26
Papal Letter to His Beatitude Volodymyr, metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine.
April 28
Letters of Credence of Abdul-Amir Al-Anbari, ambassador of Iraq to Holy See.
April 29
Beatification of 5 Servants of God, including first Puerto Rican.
May 4
John Paul II starts trip to Greece, Syria and Malta, his 93rd foreign apostolic trip. He is the first Pope to visit Greece in 1,000 years, the first Pope ever to visit Syria and the first pontiff to enter a mosque. Trip concludes May 9.
May 8
Publication of the Fifth Instruction for the Right Implementation of the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy of the Second Vatican Council, "Liturgiam authenticam," On the Use of Vernacular Languages in the Publication of the Books of the Roman Liturgy (promulgated by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments on March 28).
May 15
Publication by Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith of a Notification Regarding Certain Writings of Fr. Marciano Vidal, C.Ss.R.
May 18
John Paul II celebrates 81st birthday. Presentation of Letters of Credence by nine new ambassadors: Nepal; Tunisia; Estonia; Zambia; Guinea; Sri Lanka; Mongolia; South Africa and Gambia.
May 21
Consistory of Cardinals opens in Vatican City: 155 cardinals are present. This is the sixth extraordinary consistory called by Pope John Paul II. Meeting ends May 24. with a Message from the cardinals.
May 28
Holy See declaration on participation by Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo, emeritus of Lusaka, in a marriage ceremony of the Unification Church.
June 1
Pope receives His Grace Dr. George Leonard Carey, archbishop of Canterbury and primate of Anglican Communion.
June 3
Pentecost Sunday and 38th anniversary of the death of Blessed John XXIII, whose incorrupt body, in a crystal and bronze coffin, was in St. Peter's Square during Mass celebrated by the Pope. It was later placed in its final resting place near the main altar of St. Peter's Basilica.
June 11
Cardinal Pierre Eyt of Bordeaux dies at age 67.
June 12
Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples issues "Instruction on the Sending Abroad and Sojourn of Diocesan Priests from Mission Territories."
June 17
Cardinal Thomas Winning, archbishop of Glasgow, dies at the age of 76.
June 18
Letters of Credence of Maximo Pacheco Gomez, new ambassador of the Republic of Chile. Holy See delegation leaves for Vietnam.
June 22
Audience with Fra Andrew Bertie, prince and grand master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
June 23
Pope departs for Ukraine, start of 94th foreign apostolic trip. On June 26, he presides at first beatification ceremony in Ukraine's history. Trip ends June 27.
June 26
Papal Message to United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan for U.N. special meeting on AIDS.
June 29
Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles: 36 metropolitan archbishops receive pallium from Pope during Mass in St. Peter's Square. Declaration on Marian apparitions in Rwanda. Death of Cardinal Silio Oddi at age of 90.
July 3
Pope welcomes Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
July 9
Holy Father leaves for northern Italy for 12-day mountain vacation. Returns to Rome, goes to Castelgandolfo on Friday, July 20.
July 17
Public canonical admonition is issued to Archbishop Milingo through a notification from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
July 21
Publication of papal Message to G-8 leaders about meeting in Genoa, Italy.
July 22
During Angelus reflections, Pope laments violence which broke out at G-8 summit.
July 23
At Castelgandolfo, John Paul II welcomes U.S. President George W. Bush
July 26
Cardinal Giuseppe Maria Sensi dies at 94. Scholastic Agreement signed in Vatican between Holy See and Gabon.

2002

January 1
35th World Day of Peace, papal Message on theme "No Peace Without Justice, No Justice Without Forgiveness."
January 3
Holy Father receives Leszek Miller, prime minister of the Republic of Poland,
January 6
Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord: John Paul II confers episcopal ordination upon ten priests from Italy, the Philippines, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Portugal; World Mission Day of Childhood: on the theme "Kindle Hope."
January 10
Pope John Paul addresses members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See for the traditional exchange of New Year greetings.
January 13
Feast of the Baptism of the Lord: In the Sistine Chapel, the Pope administers Baptism to 20 newborns from Italy, France, Spain and the U.S.A.
January 20
Following the angelus, Holy Father launches a new appeal for peace in the Holy Land.
January 22
Papal Message for the 36th World Communications Day, to be held on May 12 on the theme: "Internet, A New Forum for Proclaiming the Gospel."
January 23
The Holy See consents to the "Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction," adopted by the U.N. General Assembly on December 16, 1971, and entered into force on March 26, 1975.
January 24
Pope John Paul and 300 representatives from the world's different religions arrive in Assisi, Italy, to participate in the Day of Prayer for Peace in the World.
January 31
Argentinean Foreign Minister Carlos Ruckauf visits Vatican.
February 2
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord and Sixth Day of Consecrated Life: Eucharistic celebration in St. Peter's Basilica.
February 5
Presentation of the Holy Father's Message for Lent 2002 on the theme "Freely you have received, freely shall you give."
February 8
Presentation of Letters of Credence of new ambassador of the Philippines to the Holy See, Francisco Acevedo Alba; Presentation at the Embassy of Canada to the Holy See of World Youth Day 2002, to be held in Toronto July 23-28.
February 11
Elevation of four apostolic administrations in the Russian Federation to the level of dioceses: archdiocese of the Mother of God at Moscow, diocese of St. Clement at Saratov, the diocese of the Transfiguration at Novosibirsk and the diocese of St. Joseph at Irkutsk. Pope also creates the ecclesiastical province with the metropolitan see in the archdiocese of the Mother of God, assigning the other three dioceses as suffragans; Mass in St. Peter's Basilica for the Tenth World Day of the Sick.
February 13
Ash Wednesday: penitential prayer services in St. Anselm Church, procession to and liturgy in Santa Sabina Basilica.
February 20
The Pope decrees that, at the beginning of 2003, it will be possible to consult documents concerning Germany and relative to Pope Pius XI and the period 1922-1939 contained in the archives of the Section for Relations with States of the Secretariat of State and in the Secret Vatican Archives.
February 21
Holy Father welcomes President Bashar Al-Assad of the Arab Republic of Syria.
February 28
Presentation of "Ethics and the Internet," and "The Church and the Internet," two documents produced by the Pontifical Council for Social Communications; Pope receives President Aleksander Kwasniewski of the Republic of Poland.
March 4
John Paul II sends all heads of government and of State in the world a Letter containing "The Decalogue of Assisi for Peace."
March 5
Holy See Press Office announces that a period of rest has been prescribed for the Pope whose arthritic knee condition has worsened.
March 8
The archbishop of Athens and All Greece, His Beatitude Christodoulos, sends a delegation of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece to Rome for a working meeting, upon the invitation of Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.
March 11
Letters of Credence presented by Marcelo Fernandez de Cordoba Ponce, new ambassador of Ecuador to the Holy See; Telegram for death of Cardinal Franjo Kuharic, archbishop emeritus of Zagreb.
March 13
Telegram for death of Cardinal Louis-Marie Bille, archbishop of Lyons.
March 14
Letters of Credence presented by new ambassador of Korea, Seo Hyun-seop.
March 18
Presentation to Holy Father of New Roman Missal; Telegram for the murder of Archbishop Isaias Duarte Cancino of Cali, Colombia; Announcement that 14 journalists will write the Meditations for the Way of the Cross to be held at the Colosseum on Good Friday evening.
March 21
Publication of Pope's Letter to Priests for Holy Thursday 2002.
March 25
Agreement signed between Holy See and Albania regulating reciprocal relations.
March 31
Easter Sunday, Urbi et Orbi blessing and message.
April 4
Holy See Press Office statement on the high-level meetings in the Vatican's Secretariat of State regarding the critical situation in the Middle East.
April 9
Presentation of "Directory of Popular Devotions and Liturgy. Principles and Guidance," published by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of Sacraments.
April 11
Pope welcomes new ambassador from Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Darko Tanaskovic.
April 16
Pope John Paul telephones Franciscan Friars in the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem: they have been in this church since it was occupied by an estimated 200 Palestinians in early April and under siege since by Israeli troops.
April 20
Holy See statement on Bishop Jerzy Mazur, who was expelled from Russian Federation.
April 23
Start of two-day meeting in Vatican to discuss the situation in the U.S. Church of sex abuse by clergy. In attendance were Pope John Paul, some heads of dicasteries of the Roman Curia, the cardinal secretary of state, 12 U.S. cardinals and the president, vice-president and secretary general of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
April 29
Letters of Credence from Armindo Fernandes do Espirito Santo Vieira, ambassador of Angola.
May 1
Cardinal Roger Etchegaray is papal envoy to Jerusalem; Presentation of Apostolic Letter in the Form of Motu Proprio "Misericordia Dei" On Certain Aspects of the Celebration of the Sacrament of Penance.
May 3
Pope welcomes new ambassador from Morocco, Mohamed Sbihi.
May 5
John Paul II travels to Italian diocese of Ischia.
May 10
Holy Father receives Zef Bushati, new ambassador from Republic of Albania; Cardinal Angelo Sodano receives Shimon Peres, Israeli foreign minister.
May 11
End of the siege of the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem
May 14
Conclusion of official visit to People's Democratic Republic of Korea by Msgr. Celestino Migliore, under-secretary for Relations with States.
May 17
Pope receives Letters of Credence of eight new ambassadors to the Holy See: They represent Belarus, Niger, Sweden, Thailand, Benin, Sudan, Iceland and Jordan.
May 18
Pope John Paul turns 82; Message for World Mission Day: "Mission is a Proclamation of Pardon."
May 20
Papal Message to newly independent nation of the Democratic Republic of East Timor.
May 22
Holy Father departs for Azerbaijan and Bulgaria; Telegram for death of Cardinal Alexandru Todea.
May 28
Pope John Paul receives U.S. President George W. Bush.
May 31
President Karl Auguste Offman of the Republic of Mauritius welcomed by Pope.
June 1
Letters of Credence of Romania's new ambassador, Mihail Dobre.
June 7
Audience to Prime Minister Dato' Seri Mahathir bin Mohamad of Malaysia.
June 14
Publication by Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, "Starting Afresh from Christ. A Renewed Commitment to Consecrated Life in the Third Millennium."
June 16
Canonization of Blessed Padre Pio of Pietrelcina.
June 21
John Paul II welcomes Archbishop George Carey of Canterbury, prior to his retirement as head of the Anglican Communion.
June 27
New ambassador from France, Pierre Morel, presents his Credentials.
June 28
Letters of Credence of new ambassador of Ex-Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Ivan Angelov; Statutes of Neocatechumenal Way are approved.
June 29
Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles: Holy Father bestows palliums on 28 new metropolitan archbishops.
July 4
Pope welcomes Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Medgyessy.
July 8
Holy Father leaves for summer residence at Castelgandolfo.
July 10
A "Monitum" from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith Concerning the Attempted Priestly Ordination of Several Catholic Women.
July 23
John Paul II departs for Canada to celebrate the 17th World Youth Day in Toronto. The Pope's 97th foreign apostolic trip, from July 23 to August 2, also took him to Guatemala City and Mexico City.
July 25
Signature of Accord between the Holy See and the Czech Republic on the regulation of reciprocal relations.
August 3
Apostolic Penitentiary grants indulgences to acts of worship in honor of Divine Mercy and grants the faculty to impart the papal blessing with a plenary indulgence in special cases.
August 5
Decree of excommunication by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith for the attempted priestly ordination of several Catholic women.
August 16
Pope leaves for four-day trip to his native Poland: his 98th international voyage.
August 21
Agreement signed between Holy See and Slovak Republic concerning religious assistance to Catholics in the Armed Forces.
August 26
Holy See delegation participates at World Summit for Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa: August 26 - September 4.
September 2
Credentials presented by new ambassador from Greece to the Holy See, Christos Botzios.
September 5
Pope welcomes new ambassador from Slovenia, Ludvik Toplak.
September 6
Ambassador from Uruguay to Holy See, Daniel Perez del Castillo, presents his Credentials.
September 7
Pope welcomes new ambassador from Great Britain, Kathryn Frances Colvin.
September 9
Telegram for the death on September 8 of Cardinal Lucas Moreira Neves, O.P.
September 10
Press Office statement on expulsion from the Russian Federation of another Catholic priest.
September 13
Credentials presented by new German ambassador to the Holy See, Gerhard Westdickenberg.
September 17
Papal telegrams to Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and to the mother of Cardinal Francois-Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan, president of the council, who died yesterday.
September 23
Telegram upon the death of Cardinal John Baptist Wu Cheng-chung, bishop of Hong Kong.
October 6
Canonization of Blessed Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer.
October 7
Start of weeklong visit of His Beatitude Teoctist, patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, to Pope John Paul II and the Church of Rome.
October 10
Letters of Credence presented by new ambassador of Gabon, Desire Koumba.
October 16
24th anniversary of the election of Pope John Paul II: He proclaims Year of the Rosary, adds the five Mysteries of Light to the Rosary.
October 17
International Theological Commission, in answer to a press report, says that a recent study by the Commission "tends to support the exclusion of the possibility" that women could be ordained to the diaconate.
October 18
Presentation of a document by the Congregation for the Clergy, "The Priest, Pastor and Guide of the Parish Community"; Holy See's answer to the "Essential Norms for Diocesan/Eparchial Policies Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests, Deacons or Other Church Personnel," prepared by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops; Holy See delegation returns to Rome after a seven-day visit to Vietnam.
October 22
24th anniversary of official start of the pontificate of John Paul II.
October 24
Letters of Credence presented by the new ambassador to the Holy See from Hungary, Gabor Erdody.
October 28
Exchange of instruments of ratification of an Agreement between the Holy See and the Slovak Republic.
October 31
Pope receives new ambassador from Belgium to the Holy See, Benoit Cardon de Lichtbuer; He also received Valery Giscard d'Estaing, president of the European Convention.
November 18
Diplomatic relations established between Holy See and Qatar.
November 22
Haiti's new ambassador, Carl Henri Guiteau, welcomed by Pope.
November 29
Vietnam's Vice Prime Minister, Wu Khoang, meets with Cardinal Angelo Sodano and Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran.
November 30
Credentials presented by new ambassador of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Ivan Misic; Letter from Holy Father to Cardinal Bernardin Gantin, releasing him from the office of Dean of the College of Cardinals; Pope approves election of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as dean.
December 2
Papal Message, entitled "For a Commitment to Overcome all Racism, Xenophobia and Exaggerated Nationalism," for the 89th World Day of Migrants and Refugees.
December 12
John Paul II receives Moshe Katsav, president of Israel, and S.R. Nathan, president of Singapore.
December 13
Pope accepts resignation of Cardinal Bernard Law, archbishop of Boston; Seven new ambassadors to the Holy See present their Credentials: They represent Sierra Leone, Jamaica, India, Ghana, Norway, Rwanda and Madagascar.
December 16
"Recognitio" by the Holy See of the "Essential Norms" prepared by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
December 17
Publication of Pope's Message for World Day of Peace 2003, "Pacem in terris: A Permanent Commitment."
December 19
Credentials presented by new ambassador to Holy See from Slovakia, Dagmar Babcanova.
December 20
Decrees promulgated regarding heroic virtues and miracle attributed to Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who will be proclaimed Blessed.
December 23
Holy Father welcomes His Royal Highness, Prince Vittorio Emanuele of Savoy, his wife and son.
av Webmaster publisert 14.03.2003, sist endret 14.03.2003 - 16:27