Press Release

Wednesday, October 25, 2000, Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes, mandated by the Holy Father, will visit the flooded areas of the Aosta Valley.

Pope John Paul II has already expressed his grief on Wednesday  for the victims of the flooding. Through this gesture, His Holiness wants to underline the special closeness toward those suffering in Northern Italy, particularly, the population that for years now have welcomed him so affectionately each summer.

During the morning, the President of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum will meet with local authorities of the Regional Council of the Aosta Valley and those responsible for Civil Protection. He will speak with the parish priests of the affected areas as well as with the Bishop of Aosta, to whom he will offer a special donation on behalf of  the Holy Father.

After a visit to the flood victims at Gressoney Saint Jean, Archbishop Cordes will preside at a Eucharistic Celebration to be held in Donnas at 6 p.m. for the victims and for the volunteers who assist them. This will commemorate in a special way the Year 2000: the year of reconstruction. In celebrating the Jubilee Year with the Pope’s representative, this will strengthen their closeness to the Vicar of Christ, since they can not visit Rome, as they are rebuilding that which the recent disaster destroyed.

Vatican, October 24, 2000