1.   The ceremony came after the pontiff had met with the rabbinical hierarchy in Israel and blessed the state of Israel in a meeting with Israeli President Ezer Weizman.

2.   This week, an unprecedented, closed-door summit is taking place in Rome, and the pontiff will meet with the eight U.S. cardinals who oversee archdioceses.

3.   In another high-level meeting about sanctions, the pontiff met with Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien, who recently visited Cuba.

4.   Later Saturday, the pontiff met Croatian President Franjo Tudjman at his palace in the capital Zagreb.

5.   Later Saturday, the pontiff met Croatian President Franjo Tudjman at his palace in the capital, Zagreb.

6.   The pontiff also met with the children of the parish of Santa Giulia Biallart and with members of the parish council.

7.   After his meeting with the president, the pontiff met the leader of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Maxim, who until recently had opposed the papal visit.

8.   After the audience the pontiff met with singers who will perform at a Christmas concert organised for his benefit at the Vatican.

9.   Beijing lodged strong protests with the Vatican when the pontiff met with Lien in January, urging the Rome Catholic church not to interfere with Chinese affairs.