OFFICIAL GREETINGS - HOLY SEE

UNCLAS VATICAN 002351 SIPDIS DEPT. FOR EUR/WE (MENNUTI) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPDC VT SUBJECT: OFFICIAL GREETINGS - HOLY SEE ¶1. AN OFFICIAL GREETING IS SENT ANNUALLY TO THE HOLY SEE ON THE OCCASION OF THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE ELECTION OF THE REIGNING PONTIFF. THIS TAKES THE PLACE OF THE NATIONAL DAY GREETING. FOR THE PONTIFICATE OF JOHN PAUL II THE DATE IS OCTOBER 16. NOTE: THIS DATE WILL CHANGE WITH THE ELECTION OF HIS SUCCESSOR. END NOTE. ¶2. NOTE: THE POPE'S BIRTHDAY AND OTHER OCCASIONS DO NOT CALL FOR AN OFFICIAL GREETING. THE AMBASSADOR TO THE HOLY SEE MAY WISH TO SEND GREETINGS TO THE POPE ON OTHER OCCASIONS AS A PERSONAL COURTESY. FORMER PRESIDENT CLINTON, ALONG WITH MANY OTHER WORLD LEADERS, SENT A MESSAGE TO POPE UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 02 VATICA 02351 141341Z JOHN PAUL II ON THE SPECIAL OCCASION OF HIS EIGHTIETH BIRTHDAY. EMBASSY WOULD SUGGEST A SIMILAR GESTURE SHOULD THE POPE REACH NINETY YEARS OF AGE. END NOTE. NICHOLSON UNCLASSIFIED > 2002VATICA02351 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED