NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      VATICAN (CWNews.com) -- Pope John Paul II today began a new series of catechetical talks, preaching at his regular Wednesday audience on the theme of God the Father-- to whom the last year of preparation for the Jubilee has been consecrated.

      The Pope recently concluded a series of talks on the workings of the Holy Spirit. His weekly public audiences have been organized around a series of themes, with each theme providing the topic for several months of addresses.

      In the less formal portion of his public audience, the Pope offered a special salute to a group of 360 soccer players who were in attendance, having come to Rome to compete in a tournament organized by an Italian soccer federation. The Holy Father said that the competition "highlighted the true meaning of sport as a service to young people, to understanding between different peoples, and to peace."