NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

    VATICAN CITY, DEC 15 (ZENIT).- Beginning December 26, and throughout the entire Jubilee period, all pilgrims in Rome will be able to meet in St. Peter's every evening for prayer.

    According to a press statement of the Vatican Committee for the Preparation of the Jubilee, the Holy Year's "Evening Prayer" will last a half hour and will begin with a reading from the Gospel, followed by singing of the Creed and prayer for the Pope. It will end with singing of the Our Father and the apostolic blessing imparted by a bishop on behalf of John Paul II.

    The Jubilee Committee clarified that there have been misunderstandings regarding the Evening Prayer. Some have erroneously spread the news that the Pope will appear at his window every evening to bless the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square. This is not, in fact, in the plans. However, it would not be surprising if John Paul II decided to join the pilgrims in Evening Prayer from time to time during the Jubilee Year.

    During the winter, the prayer will begin at 7 p.m., and in summer at 7:30 p.m. It will be held every day with the exception of those days when a Jubilee celebration of general interest is scheduled.

    Also it was announced that among the services the Vatican is offering pilgrims during the Holy Year 2000 will be a new "Pilgrim's Newspaper." Angelo Scelzo, coordinator of publications of the Committee of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000, presented the first issue this morning.

    The publication is in seven languages: Italian, English, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese and Polish. A million copies of every issue will be published and distributed free of charge.

    The Pilgrim's Newspaper can be found in various kiosks, information booths, and visitors' centers in Rome. ZE99121501 and ZE99121410

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