1978

Oct. 16 Cardinal Karol Wojtyla is elected successor to Pope John Paul I, the 264th Pope of the Catholic Church and takes the name John Paul II.

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 visit of the 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: S. Francesco Saverio at Garbatella.

1979

Jan. 24 John Paul II accepts the request made by Argentina and Chile for the Holy See's mediation in solving the controvery between the two countries.

Jan. 24 Audience granted to the Soviet Foreign Minister, Andrei Gromyko.

Jan. 25 First Pastoral Visit of John Paul II outside Italy to Santo Domingo, Mexico (for the Third General Conference of the Latin American Bishops, Puebla), and the Bahamas (25 Jan-1 Feb). (1st International Pastoral Visit)

Mar. 4 First papal encyclical Redemptor Hominis addressed by the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II to His Venerable Brothers in the Episcopate, the Priests, the Religious Families, the Sons and Daughters of the Church and to all Men and Women of Good Will at the Beginning of his Papal Ministry, published 15 March.

Apr. 28 Archbishop Agostino Casaroli is appointed Pro-Secretary of State and Pro-prefect of the Council for the Public Affairs of the Church.

Jun. 2 Pastoral Visit to Poland (2-10 June). 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" (2 June). (2nd International Pastoral Visit)

Jun. 30 Celebration of the first Consistory in his pontificate for the creation of 14 Cardinals, among whom were Cardinal Casaroli, Secretary of State. (One additional Cardinal was reserved "in pectore" - Chinese Ignatius Kung Pin-mei, whose appointment was published only in the Consistory of 28 June 1991).

Sept. 29 Pastoral Visit to Ireland, the U.N. and the United States of America (29 Sept - 8 Oct). (3rd International Pastoral Visit)

Oct. 2 John Paul II addresses the General Assembly of the U.N. in New York.

Oct. 16 Post-Synodal Pastoral Exhortation Catechesi Tradendae on the Catechesis in Our Time, published 25 October.

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 (5-9 Nov).

Nov. 28 Pastoral Visit to Turkey (28-30 Nov). (4th International Pastoral Visit)

1980

Jan. 14 Opening of the Special Assembly for the Netherlands of the Synod of Bishops on: "The pastoral action of the Church in Holland in the present situation" (14-31 Jan).

Apr. 4 Good Friday: John Paul II hears confessions of the faithful for the first time in St. Peter's Basilica.

May 2 Pastoral Visit to Zaire, the Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Ghana, Upper Volta, the Ivory Coast (2-12 May). (5th International Pastoral Visit)

May 30 Pastoral Visit to France (30 May - 2 June). (6th International Pastoral Visit)

Jun. 2 John Paul II's address to UNESCO in Paris.

Jun. 21 Visit of the President Jimmy Carter of the United States of America.

Jun. 30 Pastoral Visit to Brazil (30 June - 12 July).

Aug. 20 For the first time John Paul II alludes to the events happening in Poland regarding Solidarnosc.

Sept. 26 Fifth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the theme: "The Role of the Christian Family in the Modern World" (26 Sept - 25 Oct).

Sept. 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 Pastoral Visit to West Germany (15-19 Nov). (8th International Pastoral Visit)

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 2 December.

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, Patrons of Europe.

1981

Jan. 15 Pope John Paul II receives in Audience a delegation headed by Lech Walesa of the Polish Independent Syndicate Solidarnosc.

Feb. 8 John Paul II meets with Rome's Chief Rabbi ElioToaff during his pastoral visit to the parish of Sts. Carlo e Biagio in Catinari.

Feb. 16 Pastoral Visit to Pakistan, the Philippines, Guam (USA), Japan, and Anchorage (USA) (16-27 Feb). (9th International Pastoral Visit)

May 13 At 5:19 p.m. a young turk Mehmet Alì Agca makes an attempt on the Pope's life while he was circling St. Peter's Square before his General Audience. Severly, wounded, the Pope was operated on for 6 hours at Gemelli hospital.

May 17 John Paul II recites the Angelus at Gemelli hospital: "Pray for the brother who shot me, whom I have sincerely forgiven".

May 31 John Paul II creates a Council of Cardinals to study the organizational and economic problems of the Holy See.

Jun. 3 John Paul II returns to the Vatican after 22 days of recovery at Gemelli Hospital.

Jun. 20 John Paul II is newly hospitalized for a cytomegalovirus infection. On 5 August he undergoes a second operation. He returns to the Vatican on the 14th of August and from there goes to Castelgandolfo on August 16th.

Jul. 13 First meeting of the Council of Cardinals for the study of organizational and economic problems of the Holy See.

Sept. 14 Third papal encyclical Laborem Exercens on Human Work on the Ninetieth Anniversary of Rerum Novarum.

Nov. 22 Post-Synodal Pastoral Exhortation Familiaris Consortio on the Role of the Family in the Modern World, published on 15 December.

Nov. 25 Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger appointed Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Dec. 12 John Paul II sends a delegation from the Pontifical Academy of Sciences to the Presidents of the USA, USSR, Great Britain, France, and the UN, to present thier scientific document on the consequences of an eventual use of nuclear arms in Europe and in the world.

Dec. 13 John Paul II invites 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 Pastoral Visit to Nigeria, Benin, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea (12-19 Feb). (10th International Pastoral Visit).

Mar. 21 Holy Mass in St. Peter's Basilica for the Chinese Church.

May 12 Pastoral Visit to Portugal one year after the assassination attempt on his life in St. Peter's Square (12-15 May). (11th International Pastoral Visit)

May 22 Holy Mass in St. Peter's Basilica for justice and peace, for peace between Argentina and Great Britain (the Falkland Islands/Malvinas) (28 May - 2 June).

May 28 Pastoral Visit to Great Britain (28 May - 2 June). (12th International Pastoral Visit)

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.

Jun. 7 John Paul II meets the for the first time the President of the United States of America, Ronald Reagan. They pledge to work for world peace and justice.

Jun. 10 Pastoral Visit to Argentin, in relation to the war between Argentina and Great Britain regarding the Falkland Islands and Malvinas (10-13 June). (13th International Pastoral Visit)

Jun. 15 Pastoral Visit to Geneva, Switzerland. (14th International Pastoral Visit)

Jun. 15 Speech by John Paul II at the 68th Session of the International Workers Conference in Geneva.

Aug. 29 Pastoral Visit to San Marino and Rimini. (15th International Pastoral Visit)

Sept. 15 Private meeting with Yasser Arafat on the prospects for peace in the Middle East.

Sept. 15 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 the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Prof. Karl Carstens.

Oct. 31 Pastoral Visit to Spain for the closure of the 4th Centenary of the death of St. Teresa of Avila (31 Oct - 9 Nov).

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 on curial reforms, state of revisions of the Code of Canon Law, financial solvency of the Holy See, relations between the Institute of the Works of Religion (I.O.R.) and the "Banco Ambrosiano" (23-26 Nov).

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 1950 anniversary of the Redemption.

Jan. 25 Pastoral Constitution Sacrae Disciplinae Leges of the Supreme Pontiff Pope John Paul II 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 Pastoral Visit to Lisbon and Central America - Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, and Haiti (2-10 Mar). (17th International Pastoral Visit)

Mar. 25 Opening of the Holy Year of the Redemption (25 March 1983- 22 April 1984).

Jun. 16 Pastoral Visit to Poland (16-23 June). (18th International Pastoral Visit)

Aug. 14 Pastoral Visit to Lourdes. (19th International Pastoral Visit)

Sept. 10 Pastoral Visit to Austria (10-13 Sept). (20th International Pastoral Visit)

Sept. 29 Sixth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on: Penance and Reconciliation in the Mission of the Church (29 Sept - 29 Oct).

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 Meeting with the Evangelic - Lutheran community in Rome.

Dec. 27 Visit to the Rebibbia prison and meeting with Alì Agca, the Turk who made an attempt on the life of John Paul II on 13 May 1981.

1984

Jan. 10 Diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the United States of America.

Feb. 11 Pastoral Letter Salvific Doloris on the Christian Meaning of Human Suffering.

Feb. 18 Agreement between the Holy See and the Italian Republic on the revision of the Lateran Concordat: new Concordat signed.

Feb. 22 Letter of the Holy Father for "The John Paul II Foundation for the Sahel", instituted for the fight against the drought and desertification in the Sahelian region.

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, at Fatima on 13 May.

Mar. 25 Apostolic Exhortation Redemptionis Donum to all men and women religious on their consecration in the light of the mystery of redemption, (published 29 Mar).

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 desired crossroad of peace for the peoples of the Middle East.

Apr. 22 Conclusion of the Holy Year of Redemption 1983/84.

May 1 Apostolic Letter Les Grands Mystères (On the problem of Lebanon).

May 2 Pastoral Visit to Korea, Papua-New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Thailand (2-12 May). (21st International Pastoral Visit)

May 21 Official visit of the Italian President Sandro Pertini.

Jun. 2 Official visit of John Paul II to the President of Italy, Sandro Pertini (Quirinale, Rome).

Jun. 12 Pastoral Visit to Switzerland (12-17 June). (22nd International Pastoral Visit)

Jul. 16 Visit of John Paul II to the massif of Adamello and meeting with President Pertini (16-17 July).

Sept. 3 Publication of the instruction of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith on certain aspects of theology of liberation.

Sept. 9 Pastoral Visit to Canada (9-20 Sept.). (23rd International Pastoral Visit)

Oct. 10 Pastoral Visit to Zaragoza, (Spain), Santo Domingo, (Dominican Republic) and San Juan, (Puerto Rico) (10-13 Oct). (24th International Pastoral Visit)

Dec. 11 Publication of the Post-Synodal Pastoral Exhortation Reconciliatio and Poenitentia on Reconciliation and Penance in the Mission of the Church Today.

1985

Jan. 26 Pastoral Visit to Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Trinidad-Tobago (26 Jan - 6 Feb). (25th International Pastoral Visit)

Feb. 19 Audience with the Israeli Prime Minister Simon Peres.

Feb. 27 Official visit of the Foreign Minister of the USSR Andrei Gromyko.

Mar. 26 Apostolic Letter Dilecti Amici to the Youth of the World on the occasion of the United Nation's International Youth Year.

Mar. 30 First International Youth Meeting in Rome (30-31 Mar).

Apr. 11 Pastoral visit of John Paul II to Loreto and meeting with Italian Bishops.

May 11 Pastoral Visit to the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Belgium (11-21 May). (26th International Pastoral Visit)

May 25 Third Consistory of John Paul II for the creation of 28 new Cardinals.

Jun. 2 Fourth papal encyclical Slavorum Apostoli in commemoration of the 11th Centenary of the Evangelizing Works of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, published 2 July.

Jul. 7 Holy Mass in the Paoline Chapel of the Vatican for the Czechoslovak people, in remembrance of Sts. Cyril and Methodius.

Aug. 8 Pastoral Visit to Togo, the Ivory Coast, Cameroon, the Republic of Central Africa, Zaire, Kenya, Morocco (8-19 Aug). (27th International Pastoral Visit)

Sept. 8 Pastoral Visit to Kloten, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. (28th International Pastoral Visit)

Oct. 4 Official visit of President Francesco Cossiga of Italy.

Nov. 17 Personal message of the Pope to Ronald Reagan and Mikail Gorbaciov for the Geneva summit.

Nov. 21 Third Plenary Meeting of the College of Cardinals on the reform of the Roman Curia (21-23 Nov).

Nov. 25 Second Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on: "The Twentieth Anniversary of the Conclusion of the Second Vatican Council" (25 Nov - 8 Dec).

1986

Jan. 18 Official visit of John Paul II to the Italian President, Francesco Cossiga.

Jan. 31 Pastoral Visit to India (31 Jan - 10 Feb). (29th International Pastoral Visit)

Feb. 19 Private audience with President Amin Gemayel of Lebanon.

Mar. 6 Official visit of the Governor General of Canada, Mme. Jeanne Sauvé.

Mar. 13 Pope John Paul II and the Dicastery heads of the Roman Curia meet with Bishops of the Brazilian Episcopal Conference at the end of their Ad limina visit (13-15 Mar).

Apr. 5 Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith publishes the Instruction Libertatis Conscientia on Christian freedom and liberation.

Apr. 13 John Paul II makes a visit to Rome's main synagogue.

May 18 Fifth papal encyclical Dominum et Vivificantem on the Holy Spirit in the Life of the Church and the World, published on 30 May.

Jul. 1 Pastoral Visit to Colombia and Santa Lucia (1-8 July). (30th International Pastoral Visit)

Oct. 4 Pastoral Visit to France (East-Central region, 4-7 Oct). (31st International Pastoral Visit)

Oct. 27 John Paul II attends the First World Day of Prayer for Peace which he convoked in Assisi.

Oct. 31 Official visit of the President Paul Biya of the Republic of Cameroon.

Nov. 18 Pastoral Visit to Bangladesh, Singapore, Fiji Islands, New Zealand, Australia and Seychelles (18 Nov - 1 Dec). (32nd International Pastoral Visit)

1987

Jan. 13 Audience with President of the Council of the People's Republic of Poland, General Wojciech Jaruzelski.

Feb. 22 Instruction of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith on respect for human life (published 2 Mar).

Mar. 25 Sixth papal encyclical Redemptoris Mater on the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Life of the Pilgrim Church.

Mar. 31 Pastoral Visit to Uruguay, Chile, Argentina (31 Mar - 13 Apr). (33rd International Pastoral Visit)

Apr. 30 Pastoral Visit to the Federal Republic of Germany (30 Apr - 4 May). (34th International Pastoral Visit)

Jun. 6 Official visit of the President Ronald Reagan of the United States of America.

Jun. 6 On the vigil of Pentecost: Solemn opening of the Marian Year (7 June - 15 Aug).

Jun. 8 Pastoral Visit to Poland (8-14 June). (35th International Pastoral Visit)

Jun. 25 Official visit of the President Kurt Waldheim of the Federal Republic of Austria.

Jun. 28 Celebration of the 7th Centenary of the evangelization of Lithuania.

Jul. 8 First visit of John Paul II to the Dolomites (Lorenzago di Cadore) in northern Italy for a period of rest (8-14 July).

Sept. 10 Pastoral Visit to the USA and Canada (Fort Simpson) (10-21 Sept). (36th International Pastoral Visit)

Sept. 17 San Francisco, USA, the Holy Father meets with AIDS patients at "Mission Dolores Basilica" and embraces a little boy called Brendan.

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" (1-30 Oct).

Dec. 3 His Holiness Dimitrios, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, visits John Paul II (3-7 Dec). Signing of common declaration.

Dec. 11 Official visit with the President Raul Ricardo Alfonsin of the Republic of Argentina.

Dec. 30 Seventh papal encyclical Sollicitudo Rei Socialis for the 20th Anniversary of Populorum Progressio, published 19 February.

1988

Jan. 25 John Paul II's Apostolic Letter Euntes in Mundum for the millennium of the Baptism of Kievan Rus', published 22 March .

Feb. 14 John Paul II's message to the Ukrainian Catholics, Magnum Baptismi Donum for the millennium of the Baptism of Kievan Rus'.

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 Pastoral Visit of John Paul II to Uruguay, Bolivia, Paraguay and Lima (7-19 May). (37th International Pastoral Visit)

May 21 Inauguration of the "Dono di Maria" shelter in the Vatican, entrusted to Mother Teresa's Missionary Sisters of Charity.

Jun. 13 Delegation to Moscow led by Secretary of State Cardinal Casaroli for the celebrations of the Millennium of Kievan Rus'.

Jun. 18 Official visit of the President Corazon C. Aquino of the Philippines.

Jun. 23 Pastoral Visit toAustria (23-27 June). (38th International Pastoral Visit)

Jun. 28 Apostolic Constitution Pastor Bonus on the Roman Curia.

Jun. 28 Fourth Consistory of John Paul II for the creation of 24 new Cardinals.

Jul. 2 Motu Proprio Ecclesia Dei, establishing a commission for the purpose of facilitating full ecclesial communion of priests, seminarians, religious communities or individuals until now linked to the Fraternity founded by Mons. Lefebvre, who may wish to remain united to the Successor of Peter in the Catholic Church.

Jul. 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 the Marian Year in St. Peter's Basilica.

Aug. 15 Apostolic Letter Mulieris Dignitatem on the Dignity and Vocation of Women on the Occasion of the Marian Year, published 30 Sept.

Sept. 10 Pastoral Visit to Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Swaziland (10-20 Sept). (39th International Pastoral Visit)

Oct. 8 Pastoral Visit to the European Institutions of Strasbourg and to the dioceses of Strasbourg, Metz and Nancy (France) (8-11 Oct). (40th International Pastoral Visit)

Nov. 19 Visit with the President Ciriaco De Mita of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic.

Dec. 30 Post-synod Apostolic Exhortation Christifideles laici on the Vocation and the Mission of the Lay Faithful in the Church and in the World, published 30 January 1989.

1989

Jan. 1 Motu Proprio instituting the Labor Office of the Apostolic See, published 25 January.

Mar. 8 Meeting of John Paul II and members of the Curia with the metropolitan archbishops of the United States of America on the theme: "Evangelization in the context of the culture and society of the United States with particular emphasis on the role of the bishop as teacher of the faith" (8-11 Mar).

Mar. 10 Reorganization of the pastoral government of the dioceses inLithuania.

Apr. 20 Official visit of the President Patrick J. Hillery of Ireland.

Apr. 28 Pastoral Visit to Madagascar, La Réunion, Zambia and Malawi (28 Apr - 6 May). (41st International Pastoral Visit)

May 27 Official visit of the PresidentGeorge Bush of the United States of America.

Jun. 1 Pastoral Visit to Norway, Iceland, Finland, Denmark and Sweden (1-10 June). (42nd International Pastoral Visit)

Jul. 17 Restoration of diplomatic relations between Poland and the Holy See.

Aug. 15 Apostolic Exhortation Redemptoris Custos on the Person and Mission of St. Joseph in the Life of Christians and of the Church.

Aug. 15 Angelus message in which the Pope reveals his wish to go personally to Lebanon as soon as possible.

Aug. 19 Pastoral Visit to Santiago de Compostela for the 4th World Youth Day (19-21 Aug). (43rd International Pastoral Visit)

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 (29 Sept - 2 Oct).

Oct. 2 Joint statement of Pope John Paul II and Archbishop Runcie..

Oct. 6 Pastoral Visit to Seoul (Korea), Indonesia and Mauritius (6-10 Oct). (44th International Pastoral Visit)

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" (13-14 Nov).

Dec. 1 Official visit of the President Mikhail Gorbaciov of the USSR.

Dec. 21 New appointment of bishops in Czechoslovakia.

1990

Jan. 25 Pastoral Visit to Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Chad (25 Jan - 1 Feb). (45th International Pastoral Visit)

Mar. 15 Exchange of official representatives at the level of the apostolic nuncio and special ambassador between the Holy See and the Soviet government.

Apr. 21 Pastoral Visit to Czechoslovakia (21-22 Apr). (46th International Pastoral Visit)

Apr. 22 In Velehrad, John Paul II announces a Special Assembly for Europe of the Synod of Bishops.

Apr. 27 Official visit of the President Mario Soares of Portugal.

May 6 Pastoral Visit to Mexico and Curaçao (6-14 May). (47th International Pastoral Visit)

May 25 Pastoral Visit to Malta (25-27 May). (48th International Pastoral Visit)

Aug. 26 During his Angelus message John Paul II makes an appeal for peace in the Persian Gulf, following the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq.

Sept. 1 Pastoral Visit to Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda and Ivory Coast (1-10 Sept). (49th International Pastoral Visit)

Sept. 30 Eighth General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the theme: "The Formation of Priests in Circumstances of the Present Day" (30 Sept - 28 Oct).

Oct. 18 Promulgation of the Code of Canons for the 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 the Cardinal Secretary of State Agostino Casaroli and appoints Archbishop Angelo Sodano Pro-Secretary of State.

Dec. 25 Papal appeal for peace in the Gulf, message taken from the Holy Father's Christmas "Urbi et Orbi".

Dec. 7 Eighth papal encyclical Redemptoris missio on the Permanent Validity of the Church's Missionary Mandate, published 22 January 1991.

1991

Jan. 15 Letter to the U.S. President George Bush and to the President Sadam Hussein of Iraq, in an attempt to avert the Gulf War.

Feb. 5 Official visit of President Lech Walesa of the Polish Republic.

Mar. 4 Meeting at the Vatican of episcopal representatives from the countries directly implicated in the Gulf War (4-5 Mar).

Mar. 8 Second session of the Brazilian Episcopate and representatives of the Roman Curia (8-9 Mar).

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" (4-7 Apr).

Apr. 8 Meeting of the presidents of Episcopal Conferences (8-9 Apr) concerning the economic problems of the Holy See and the financial contribution of the bishops (Code of Canon Law, Canon 1271).

Apr. 13 Reorganization of the Latin-Rite Catholic Church in the Soviet Republic 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 (29-30 Apr).

May 1 Ninth papal encyclical Centesimus Annus on the Hundreth Year of Rerum Novarum.

May 3 Official visit of the King Karl Gustaf XVI of Sweden, and Queen Silvia.

May 10 Pastoral Visit to Portugal (10-13 May). (50th International Pastoral Visit)

Jun. 1 Pastoral Visit to Poland (1-9 June). (51st International Pastoral Visit)

Jun. 12 Announcement of a Special Assembly for Lebanon of the Synod of Bishops.

Jun. 28 Fifth Consistory of John Paul II for the creation of 22 new Cardinals and the announcement of the 1979 appointment "in pectore" of Cardinal Ignatius Kung Pin-Mei.

Aug. 13 Pastoral Visit to Hungary and to Poland (Czestochowa) for the 6th World Youth Day (13-20 Aug). (52nd International Pastoral Visit)

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 Pastoral Visit to Brazil (12-21 Oct). (53rd International Pastoral Visit)

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" (28 Nov - 14 Dec).

Dec. 7 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. 13 Holy See recognizes sovereignty of Croatia and Slovenia.

Feb. 8 Diplomatic relations with Croatia, Slovenia, and Ukraine.

Feb. 13 Papal chirograph for the Autonoma Foundation "Popolorum Progressio" for use in Latin America on the occasion of the 5th centenary of the evangelization of Latin America.

Feb. 19 Pastoral Visit to Senegal, Gambia and Guinea (19-26 Feb). (54th International Pastoral Visit)

Apr. 7 Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Pastores Dabo Vobis on the Formation of Priests in the Circumstances of the Present Day.

May 17 Beatification of José Maria Escrivá de Balaguer, the founder of Opus Dei, and of Giuseppina Bakhita of Sudan.

Jun. 4 Pastoral Visit to Angola, Sao Tomé and Principe (4-10 June). (55th International Pastoral Visit)

Jul. 12 At the Angelus John Paul II announces to the faithful that he will go to Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital that evening for diagnostic tests. On July 15, the Holy Father undergoes surgery to remove a benign intestinal tumor. John Paul II is released from Gemelli Polyclinic on 26 July.

Aug. 22 Dramatic appeal for peace in the Balkans at the Angelus message.

Sept. 21 Diplomatic relations between Holy See and Mexico.

Oct. 9 Pastoral Visit to Santo Domingo for the 5th centenary of the evangelization of Latin America and for the Fourth General Conference of the Latin American Episcopate (9-14 Oct). (56th International Pastoral Visit)

Oct. 11 John Paul II's Apostolic Constitution Fidei Depositum on the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church prepared following the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council (to be published on 16 November).

Nov. 27 Official visit of the 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 the Episcopal Conferences.

Dec. 25 Bishops of Albania appointed.

1993

Jan. 9 At Assisi, special prayer meeting for peace in Europe and particularly in the Balkans (9-10 Jan).

Jan. 21 Official visit of Giuliano Amato, President of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Italy.

Feb. 3 Pastoral Visit to Benin, Uganda and Khartoum (3-10 Feb). (57th International Pastoral Visit)

Feb 19 Official visit of the President Milan Kacan of Slovenia.

Apr. 25 Pastoral Visit to Albania. (58th International Pastoral Visit)

May 29 Conclusion of the second diocesan synod of Rome.

Jun. 12 Pastoral Visit to Spain (12-17 June). (59th International Pastoral Visit)

Aug. 6 Tenth papal encyclical Veritatis Splendor regarding certain fundamental questions on the Church's moral teaching, published 5 October.

Aug. 9 Pastoral Visit to Jamaica, Merida and Denver for the celebration of the 8th World Youth Day. (9-16 Aug). (60th International Pastoral Visit)

Sept. 4 Pastoral Visit to Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia (4-10 Sept). (61st International Pastoral Visit)

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. 16 Official visit of the President Carlos Saul Menem of Argentina.

Dec. 26 Opening of the Year of the Family.

Dec. 30 At Jerusalem, signing of an accord on some basic principles regulating diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Israel.

1994

Jan. 1 Motu Proprio Socialium Scientiarum establishing the 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. 23 Mass presided by the Holy Father Pope John Paul II in St. Peter's Basilica for peace in the Balkans.

Feb. 2 Letter of John Paul II to Families, for the International Year of the Family.

Feb. 11 Motu Proprio Vitae Mysterium establishes the Pontifical Academy for Life.

Mar. 3 Official visit of President Richard von Weizsäcker of the Federal Republic of Germany. Diplomatic relations with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

Mar. 5 Diplomatic relations with the Republic of South Africa.

Mar. 7 Official visit of President Vaclav Havel of the Czech Republic.

Mar. 17 Israeli Prime Minister Rabin visits the Pope.

Mar. 19 Letter to heads of states around the world and to the Secretary General of the United Nations on the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo, held in September 1994.

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'" (10 Apr - 8 May).

Apr. 29 Following an accidental fall on the evening of 28 April, which caused a fracture of the right femur, the Holy Father is recovered at the Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital and undergoes an operation. Released from hospital on 27 May.

May 13 Opening of the closed monastery "Mater Ecclesiae" within the Vatican walls.

May 22 Apostolic Letter Ordinatio Sacerdotalis to the Bishops on Reserving Priestly Ordination to Men Alone.

Jun. 2 Receives President Bill Clinton of the United States.

Jun. 13 Fifth plenary meeting of the College of Cardinals, with John Paul II participating, in preparation for the Jubilee of the Third Millennium (13-14 June).

Jun. 15 Diplomatic relations at the level of apostolic nunciature and embassy between the Holy See and the State of Israel.

Sept. 5 Holy See sends its delegation to the International Conference on Population and Development, held in Cairo (5-13 Sept).

Sept. 8 John Paul II offers Mass at Castelgandolfo for Bosnia-Herzegovina, after cancelling his planned visit to Sarajevo.

Sept. 10 Pastoral Visit to Zagreb, Croatia (10-11 Sept). (62nd International Pastoral Visit)

Oct. 2 Ninth general assembly of the Synod of Bishops:"The Consecrated Life and Its Role in the Church and in the World" (2-29 Oct).

Oct. 8 International Meeting of Families with the Holy Father honoring the International Year of the Family (8-9 Oct).

Oct. 20 Publication of Pope John Paul's book Crossing the Threshold of Hope.

Oct. 25 Beginning of working contacts of a "permanent and official character" between the Holy See and the Palestine Liberation Organization.

Nov. 10 Apostolic Letter Tertio Millennio Adveniente to Bishops, Clergy and Lay Faithful in the preparation for the Jubilee of theYear 2000, published 14 November.

Nov. 26 Sixth Consistory of John Paul II for the creation of 30 new cardinals.

Dec. 13 Letter to Children in the Year of the Family.

1995

Jan. 11 Pastoral Visit to Manila for the celebration of the 10th World Youth Day. Then to Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea), Sydney (Australia), and Colombo (Sri Lanka) for three beatifications (11-21 Jan). (63rd International Pastoral Visit)

Jan. 14 Broadcast over Radio Veritas at Manila, John Paul II reads a message to Chinese Catholics.

Feb. 4 Official visit to the Holy Father of the President of the Republic of Malta, Ugo Mifsud Bonnici.

Mar. 6 The Holy See sends its delegation to the 7-day UN World Summit of Social Development in Copenhagen, Denmark (6-12 Mar).

Mar. 25 11th papal encyclical Evangelium Vitae on the Value and Inviolability of Human Life, published 30 March.

May 2 Apostolic Letter Orientale Lumen for the centenary of Orientalium Dignitas of Pope Leo XIII.

May 8 Papal message on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

May 20 Pastoral Visit to Czech Republic and the canonization of Bl. Jan Sarkander and Bl. Zdislava di Lemberk (20-22 May). (64th International Pastoral Visit)

May 25 12th papal encyclical Ut Unim Sint on Commitment to Ecumenism, published 30 May.

Jun. 3 Pastoral Visit toBelgium for the beatification of Fr. Damiaan de Veuster (3-4 June). (65th International Pastoral Visit)

Jun. 11 Holy Mass at St. Peter's Basilica in remembrance of the end of World War II in Europe.

Jun. 27 Visit of Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartolomeo I (27-30 June). Common declaration signed on 29 June.

Jun. 29 Letter to Women, published 10 July.

Jun. 30 Pastoral Visit to Slovak Republic and canonization of three martyrs (30 June - 3 July) from Kosice (1916) - Marco da Krizevci, Stefano Pongracz and Melchiovre Grodziecki. (66th International Pastoral Visit)

Sept. 4 Dr. Mary Ann Glendon, appointed by John Paul II as the first woman to head a Holy See delegation, addresses the 4th UN Conference on Women in Beijing (4-15 Sept).

Sept. 9 Visit to Loreto, on the occasion of the European Youth Pilgrimage, live connection also with Sarajevo. (9-10 Sept.)

Sept. 14 Pastoral Visit to Yaoundé (Cameroon), Johannesburg/Pretoria (S. Africa) and Nairobi (Kenya) for the conclusion of the Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops (14-20 Sept). (67th International Pastoral Visit)

Sept. 14 Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in Africa on the Church in Africa and its Evangelizing Mission towards the Year 2000, signed by the Pope in the Apostolic Nunciature of Yaoundé, the first time a document is signed outside the Vatican.

Oct. 4 Pastoral Visit to New York, Newark, Brooklyn and Baltimore (USA), (4-9 Oct). This marks 1 million kilometers travelled by the Pope. (68th International Pastoral Visit)

Oct. 5 Holy Father addresses UN General Assembly, commemorates UN's 50th anniversary.

Oct. 17 The Holy Father receives the Bishops of Bosnia-Erzogovina, Croatia, Jugoslavia, Macedonia and Serbia.

Oct. 27 Pope John Paul II participates in the commemoration ceremony on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of "Presbyterorum Ordinis" with a speech on his priesthood.

Nov. 8 Commemoration ceremony of the 30th anniversary of the Costituzione Conciliare Gaudium et Spes.

Nov. 16 Apostolic Letter of John Paul II for the Fourth Centenary of the Union of Brest.

Nov. 23 One-day papal visit to Palermo for the 3rd Ecclesial Convention of the Italian Church (123rd trip within Italy).

Nov. 26 Opening Mass in St. Peter's for the Special Assembly for Lebanon of the Synod of Bishops (26 Nov - 14 Dec).

Dec. 8 During celebrations for the Immaculate Conception, the Pope entrusts Rome with special mission for Jubilee Year 2000.

Dec. 25 "Urbi et Orbi" Christmas message and blessing on Internet.

1996

Jan. 20 State visit of the French President Jacques Chirac.

Feb. 1 Official visit of Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de León.

Feb. 5 Pastoral Visit to Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Venezuela (5-12 Feb). (69th International Pastoral Visit)

Feb. 22 Apostolic Constitution of John Paul II Universi Dominici Gregis on the Vacancy of the Apostolic See and the Election of the Roman Pontiff.

Mar. 25 Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Vita Consecrata on the Consecrated Life and Its Mission in the Church and in the World.

Apr. 5 Way of the Cross at the Colosseum: meditations prepared by Cardinal Vinko Pulijc, Archbishop of Vrhbosna, Sarajevo.

Apr. 14 Pastoral Visit to Tunisia.(70th International Pastoral Visit)

Apr. 18 Apostolic Letter commemorating the 350 years of the Union of Uzhorod.

May 17 Pastoral Visit to Slovenia (17-19 May). (71st International Pastoral Visit)

May 25 Official visit of the President of Uruguay, Julio Maria Sanguinetti.

Jun. 3 The Holy See sends its delegation to Habitat II, the UN II Conference on Human Settlements: Istanbul (3-14 June).

Jun. 21 Pastoral Visit to Germany (21-23 June). Historical speech at the gate of Brandeburg, and the announcement of the new Synod for Europe. (72nd International Pastoral Visit)

Jul. 4 Official visit by the Italian President of the Council of Ministers, Romano Prodi to the Holy Father.

Jul. 7 The celebration of the Divine Liturgy in the Byzantine-Ukraine rite at the Vatican Basilica, on the occasion of the 400th Anniversary of the Union of Brest.

Sept. 6 Pastoral Visit to Hungary (6-7 Sept). (73rd International Pastoral Visit)

Sept. 19 Pastoral Visit to France (19-22 Sept). (74th International Pastoral Visit)

Oct. 6 In the evening, the Holy Father is recovered at the Gemelli Polyclinic Hospitial to undergo the scheduled surgical procedure of an appendectomy. The extemporaneous histological examination showed a transmural appendicitis with evidence of fibrosis established from preceding inflammatory episodes. The morphological finding is indicative of recidivist appendicitis. Operated on 8 October in the morning. Released from hospital 15 October.

Nov. 1 The Holy Father celebrates Holy Mass at St. Peter's Basilica on the 50th anniversary of his priestly ordination with the diocese of Rome.

Nov. 10 Solemn Eucharistic Concelebration in St. Peter's Basilica, Pope John Paul II celebrates mass with the Cardinals, Bishops and priests consecrated in the year 1946.

Nov. 13 The Holy Father addresses the opening of the UN World Food Summit organized by FAO (UN Food and Agricultural Organization) in Rome.

Nov. 15 Presentation of the Holy Father's book entitled Gift and Mystery - on the Fiftieth Anniversary of My Priestly Ordination.

Nov. 19 His Holiness Pope John Paul II receives in a private visit Dr. Fidel Castro Ruz, President of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cuba.

Nov. 30 Pope John Paul II presides over the first vespers celebrated in St. Peter's Basilica on the solemn occasion of the beginning of the three year preparation for the Great Jubilee Year of 2000 - Announcement of "Holy Door" opening for 24 December 1999.

Dec. 3 Visit of the Archbishop of Canterbury and Primate of the Anglican Communion, His Grace Dr. George Leonard Carey to the Holy Father and the Church of Rome. Signing of the common Declaration (3-6 Dec).

Dec. 10 His Holiness Pope John Paul II receives the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all Armenian's, His Holiness Karekin I. Signing of the common Declaration (10-14 Dec).

Dec. 19 Visit to Pope John Paul II by the Palestinian President and President of PLO Yasser Arafat.

1997

Jan. 23 Visit by His Holiness Aram I Keshishian, Catholicos of Cilicia of the Armenians, to the Holy Father and the Churches of Rome. Signing of common Declaration (23-26 Jan).

Feb. 3 Holy Father receives Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.

Feb. 14 Official visit of Brazilian President, Fernando Henrique Cardoso.

Mar. 10 Holy See and Libya establish Diplomatic Relations.

Mar. 24 Opening presentation of the Holy See Internet Site

Apr. 7 Audience granted by the Pope to Aleksander Kwasniewski, the President of Poland.

Apr. 12 Pastoral Visit to Sarajevo (12-13 Apr). (75th International Pastoral Visit)

Apr. 25 Pastoral Visit to the Czech Republic (25-27 April) on the occasion of the 1,000th anniversary of the death of St. Adalbert. (76th International Pastoral Visit)

May 4 Beatifications of five servants of God in St. Peter's Square including the first Gypsy Ceferino Giménez Malla killed during the Spanish Civil War of 1936.

May 10 Pastoral Visit to Beirut (Lebanon) for the concluding phase of the Special Assembly for Lebanon of the Synod of Bishops.

May 10 The Pope signs Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation "A New Hope for Lebanon", at the end of a meeting with young people in Our Lady of Lebanon Basilica in Harissa (10-11 May). (77th International Pastoral Visit)

May 16 The Holy Father receives the President of Georgia, Eduard Shevardnadze.

May 31 Pastoral Visit to Poland and canonization of Bl. Hedwig, Queen of Poland (31 May -10 June). (78th International Pastoral Visit)

Jun. 16 Two letters written by Pope John Paul II to Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel and to Yassar Arafat, President of the Palestinian Authority, for the Middle East peace process.

Jun. 24 Letter to President Boris N. Yeltsin of the Russian Federation on Religious Freedom.

Jun. 29 Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith document entitled "Regulations for Doctrinal Examination".

Aug. 15 Apostolic Letter Laetamur Magnopere, approval and promulgation of the Latin official version of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Aug. 21 Pastoral Visit to Paris (France) for the celebration of the XII World Youth Day. (79th International Pastoral Visit)

Sept. 27 Pastoral Visit to Bologna for the closure of the 23rd National Eucharistic Congress (27-28 Sept).

Oct. 2 Pastoral Visit to Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) for the 2nd World Meeting of the Family (2-6 Oct). (80th International Pastoral Visit)

Oct. 19 Apostolic Letter Divini Amoris Scientia - St. Theresa of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face is proclaimed a Doctor of the Universal Church.

In St. Peter's Square a solemn proclamation of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face, Doctor of the Church - 33rd Doctor of the Church and 3rd women after St. Theresa of Avila and St. Catherine of Siena.

Nov. 16 Special Assembly for America of the Synod of Bishops (16 Nov - 12 Dec). Theme of the Synod: Encounter with the Living Jesus Christ, the way to Conversion, Communion and Solidarity in America.

Nov. 30 Holy Mass to inaugurate the 2nd year of preparation for the Great Jubilee Year 2000 dedicated to reflection on the Holy Spirit.

1998

Jan. 1 Apostolic Constitution Ecclesia in Urbe on the new regulations of the Vicariate of Rome.

Jan. 3 Pastoral Visit to the people afflicted by the earthquake in the Italian regions of Umbria and the Marches. The Pope visits the towns of Annifo, Cesi and Assisi.

Jan. 15 Visit to the Mayor of Rome, Francesco Rutelli and the town council in Capitoline Hill.

Jan. 21 First Pastoral Trip to the Republic of Cuba (21-26 Jan), and meeting with the Cuban President Fidel Castro Ruz at the Palacio de la Revolución (22 Jan). (81st International Pastoral Visit)

Feb. 1 Pastoral Visit to the home of a Roman family in the Parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Prati, inaugurating Rome's City Mission and the distribution of the Acts of the Apostles.

Feb. 21 Pope John Paul II holds Ordinary Public Consistory, the 7th of his Pontificate, for the creation of 20 new Cardinals (plus two "In pectore").

Mar. 7 Audience with Madeleine Albright, Secretary of State of the United States of America.

Mar. 12 Letter to the President of the Holy See Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews in reference to the publication of the document entitled We Remember: A Reflection on the 'Shoah'.

Mar. 15 Beatificationof Bishop Eugenio Bossilkov, first martyr against communist persecution raised to the honour of the altars.

Mar. 21 Pastoral Visit to Nigeria (21-23 Mar) for the Beatification of Fr. Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi. (82nd International Pastoral Visit)

Mar. 25 Exchange of Ratification document of the Concordat between the Holy See and Poland.

Apr. 19 Special Assembly for Asia of the Synod of Bishops opens with the theme: Jesus Christ the Saviour and his Mission of Love and Service in Asia: ... 'that they may have life and have it abundantly' (19 Apr - 14 May). During the solemn opening of the Synod, the Pope announces his invitation to two Bishops from mainland China to attend (permission to leave China was denied).

May 15 Audience with their Majesties King Alberto II and Queen Paola of Belgium.

May 18 Apostolic Letter Motu Proprio Ad Tuendam Fidem (To Defend the Faith) by which certain norms are inserted into the Code of Canon Law and Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches regarding the formulation of the profession of faith (published 30 June).

May 21 Motu Proprio, Apostolos Suos, on the Theological and Juridical Nature of the Episcopal Conference (published 23 July).

May 23 Pastoral Visit of John Paul II to Vercelli and Turin (23-24 May): Veneration of the Holy Shroud.

May 30 Meeting in St. Peter's Square with the "Ecclesial Movements and New Communities".

May 31 Apostolic Letter Dies Domini of the Holy Father John Paul II to the Bishops, Clergy and Faithful of the Catholic Church on Keeping the Lord's Day Holy (published 7 July).

Jun. 9 Meeting with the Cuban Bishops to examine future prospects following the Visit to Cuba.

Jun. 12 Audience with the President of the National Palestinian Authority, Yasser Arafat.

Jun. 18 Audience with the President of the Republic of South Africa, Nelson Mandela.

Jun. 19 Pastoral Visit abroad to Austria ( 19-21 June) for the Beatification of Fr. Jakob Kern, Sr. Restituta Kafka and Fr. Anton Maria Schwartz. (83rd International Pastoral Visit)

Sept. 14 13th Encyclical Letter Fides et Ratio of the Supreme Pontiff to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Relationship Between Faith and Reason (published 15 Oct).

Oct. 2 Pastoral Visit to Croatia (2-4 Oct) and Beatification of Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac, martyr. (84th International Pastoral Visit)

Oct. 11 Canonization of Bl. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Edith Stein, martyr.

Oct. 18 Pope John Paul II celebrates his 20th Anniversary of Pontificate and 40th Anniversary of Episcopal Ministry. (St. Peter's Square).

Oct. 20 Official visit of Pope John Paul II to 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 Nov).

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 Nov - 12 Dec).

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 Audience with the Prime Minister of the Italian Republic, Massimo D'Alema.

Jan. 22 Pastoral Visit to Mexico City and to St. Louis, USA for the Conclusion of the Special Assembly for America of the Synod of Bishops (22-28 Jan.) (85th International Pastoral Visit)

Jan. 22 Mexico City, signing of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in America.