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

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2002VATICA02351 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED