Europe

Exhibition to honour Pope
CONTEMPORARY sculptures and paintings of the Virgin Mary are on display in an exhibition at the European Parliament headquarters as part of celebrations to mark John Paul H's silver anniversary.
The exhibition, called "The Virgin in Contemporary Art," contains the work of 24 artists.
The organizers said that the exhibition aims to highlight the profound Christian roots of the continent.
Among the artworks are the images of Giacomo Manzy's "Virgin of Poverty," presented in the form of a crown and highlighting various moments of Mary's life. There are several representations of the Sorrowful Mother, such as Carlo Carra's "Mother Most Sweet" in pastel.
There arc representations of the "Mother and Child," as in the work of Hermann Albert, and Mimmo Paladino's "Virgin with Child," a modern icon. Among the sculptures is Emilio Greco's "Dormition" 1983}.
Theology of papal office
POLISH CARDINAL-designate Stanislas Nagy said that as a theologian he has.always tried to "illuminate the importance and significance of the whole papal office".
"The church has always been the main object of my academic interest — I try to follow the pope's teaching and illuminate the importance and significance of the whole papal office," he said.
He was one of four priests over the age of 80 named cardinals by the Pope. Because of their age, the over
80 cardinals cannot vote in a conclave to elect a new pope after they are installed in the College of Cardinals next week.
Like the pope, Cardinaldesignate Nagy studied at Jagiellonian University in Krakow and taught at the Catholic University of Lublin.
Cardinals plead tolerance
UKRAINE'S TWO cardinals have joined other Christian leaders in an appeal to the Council of
Europe's Parliamentary Assembly against new legislation to restrict religious activ ity. Auxiliary Bishop Marian Buczek of Lviv, Ukraine, said: 'These amendments are plainly unjust in a pluralistic democracy. If we hope to be part of Europe, all faiths must he free, especially traditional ones like the Catholic Church."
The bishop spoke after an appeal by Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant leaders.
Nuncio lands Vatican post
THE APOSTOLIC nuncio in Germany has been appointed as the Vatican's new secretary for relations with states.
Italian Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, 68, will replace Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, 60, who will be made a cardinal in the consistory Oct 21. Archbishop Tauran will be probably assigned to another key post by the Pope.