NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      VATICAN CITY, JUN 25 (ZENIT).- June 29, the feast of Saints Peter and Paul is the feast of the Bishop of Rome, given that Peter was Rome's first Bishop. In celebration of this feast, the Jubilee Steering Committee and Italian Radio and Television (RAI) will present a television program of Jubilee preparation, to be transmitted live by Eurovision from the Paul VI Audience Hall in the Vatican. Among the participants will be the Pope himself.

      The program includes international satellite links and performances by several artists. Among the personalities of international prestige participating in the event are Nelson Mandela from South Africa and Kofi Annan, U.N. Secretary General from New York. Neil Armstrong is slated to greet the Holy Father from Houston, on the thirtieth anniversary of man's arrival on the moon.

      On the occasion of this television event, the official Jubilee hymn, "Christ Today," will be heard for the first time. The celebration will end with the "Antica Girandola" from Castel Sant'Angelo, a spectacle of fireworks, which Popes have historically offered to pilgrims during Jubilee years, precisely on June 29. This event has not been celebrated since the time of the unification of Italy. ZE99062508

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