Cidade do Vaticano - O papa João Paulo II entrou para uma seleta lista que inclui George Washington, Bob Hope e a Madre Teresa de Calcutá quando uma delegação de senadores e deputados norte-americanos o presentearam com a Medalha de Ouro do Congresso.
"Sua influência no século XXI poderá ser tão forte quando foi no século XX", disse o presidente da Câmara, Dennis Hastert, durante uma audiência na Sala Clementina do Palácio Apostólico, enquanto o pontífice o ouvia com a cabeça abaixada e as mãos unidas.
A lei, aprovada em maio, para premiá-lo com a medalha, enaltece o papa polonês de 80 anos por utilizar "sua autoridade moral para ajudar a derrubar os regimes totalitários ateus".
"Suas fortes palavras inspiram 1 bilhão de católicos e impressionam pessoas de diversos credos em todo o mundo", disse Hastert, um republicano de Illinois, ao Papa, depois de lembrar que, "de todas as honras (civis) que o Congresso dos Estados Unidos pode conceder, a medalha de ouro é a mais importante". -- Associated Press
Fonte: http://www.estadao.com.br/agestado/internacional/2001/jan/08/210.htm
Juan Pablo II recibe la
Medalla de Oro del Congreso de EE. UU.
El reconocimiento civil más importante de esa institución
CIUDAD DEL VATICANO, 8 ene 2001 (ZENIT.org).-
Juan Pablo II recibió esta mañana en el Vaticano a una delegación de 50
parlamentarios estadounidenses, republicanos y demócratas, quienes vinieron
para entregarle la «Congressional Gold Medal», la medalla de oro del Congreso.
Se trata del reconocimiento civil más elevado que puede ofrecer esta
institución.
Fue conferido por primera vez a George Washington en 1776. Más tarde, se ha
atribuido a algo más de 250 personalidades, entre quienes destacan Winston
Churchill, la Madre Teresa di Calcuta, el cardenal John O’Connor y Nelson
Mandela.
«No es propio del sucesor del apóstol Pedro buscar honores --dijo el Papa al
agradecer este gesto del Senado y de la Cámara, de todos modos acepto la
Medalla de Oro del Congreso como reconocimiento de que mi ministerio se ha echo
eco de una palabra que puede tocar a todo corazón humano. Me he esforzado por
proclamar la palabra de Dios, que en la primera página de la Biblia nos dice
que el hombre y la mujer han sido creados a su imagen y semejanza».
«De esta gran verdad --añadió-- mana todo lo que la Iglesia dice y hace para
defender la dignidad humana y para promover la vida humana».
«En los días de mi ministerio, pero especialmente en el año del Jubileo, que
acaba de terminar, he invitado a todos a volver a Jesús para descubrir de una
manera nueva y más profunda la verdad del hombre. Cristo es el único que
manifiesta plenamente el hombre al propio hombre y le descubre la sublimidad de
su vocación».
«Acepto este premio --concluyó el Papa-- como signo de que vosotros, en cuanto
legisladores, reconocéis la importancia de defender la dignidad humana sin
compromisos, de modo que vuestra nación esté siempre a la altura de sus
responsabilidades en un mundo en el que los derechos humanos son con demasiada
frecuencia despreciados».
En la delegación estadounidense participaba el senador Sam Brownback,
republicano de Kansas, y la senadora Barbara Mikulski, demócrata de Maryland.
En representación de la Cámara, estuvo presente el diputado Dennis Hastert,
republicano de Illinois. --
ZS01010802
Monday January 8 9:54 AM ET
U.S. Congress Gives Pope John Paul Gold Medal
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - A delegation of American legislators gave Pope John Paul (news - web sites) the House of Representatives' most prestigious civilian award Monday to honor him for his contribution to world peace and religious understanding.
The 80-year-old Pope accepted the Congressional Gold Medal during an audience for some 50 American legislators from the House and Senate.
``I gladly accept the Congressional Gold Medal as a recognition that in my ministry there has echoed a word that can touch every human heart,'' the Pope, who rarely accepts prizes, said in a brief acceptance address.
``I accept this award as a sign that you, as legislators, recognize the importance of defending human dignity without compromise,'' he said.
The Pope, leader of the world's one billion Roman Catholics, has consistently preached a message of peace since his election in 1978.
Previous recipients of the medal include British wartime leader Winston Churchill, Mother Teresa of Calcutta and George Washington, the first American president.
Kansas Senator Sam Brownback said Congress had awarded the medal to the Pope because of his message of hope that ''desperately needs to be heard.''
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20010108/ts/pope_prize_dc_1.html
Monday January 8 1:09 PM ET
Pope Awarded Congressional Medal
By FRANCES D'EMILIO, Associated Press Writer
VATICAN CITY (AP) - Pope John Paul II was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal on Monday, joining a select list that also includes George Washington, Bob Hope and Mother Teresa.
U.S. House and Senate leaders presented the medal to the pontiff during a ceremony in the Apostolic Palace's fresco-covered 17th-century Clementine Room. The legislation to award John Paul the medal hails the 80-year-old, Polish-born pope for using ``his moral authority to hasten the fall of godless totalitarian regimes.''
``May your influence be as strong in the 21st century as it was in the 20th century,'' House Speaker Dennis Hastert said.
``Your strong words inspire 1 billion Catholics and impress people of various faiths throughout the world,'' Hastert, R-Ill., told the pope after noting that ``of all the recognitions the Congress of the United States can bestow, the gold medal is considered the most distinguished.''
It is the highest civilian honor Congress can award. The medal, heavy enough to make a palm sink when placed on an outstretched hand, has an image of the pope on one side and the symbolic bald eagle on the other.
Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., said John Paul's message of hope ``urgently needs to be heard.''
John Paul told the politicians he was ``honored by the gracious gesture which brought you here. It is not for the successor of the apostle Peter to seek honors, but I gladly accept the Congressional Gold Medal as a recognition that in my ministry, there has echoed a word that can touch every human heart.''
``I accept this award as a sign that you, as legislators, recognize the importance of defending human dignity without compromise, so that your nation may not fail to live up to its high responsibilities in a world where human rights are so often disregarded,'' the pontiff said.
After the pope greeted each delegate and gave out souvenir medals, he lingered for a group photo. As the pontiff left to return to his private apartment, the Americans broke into a chorus of byes - a rather informal parting salutation by Vatican standards - prompting grins among observers.
Last year, Congress awarded the medal to Cardinal John O'Connor of New York, who died in May.
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap/20010108/wl/vatican_pope_us_congress_2.html
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| Pope John Paul II waves farewell to a delegation of U.S. senators and house members at the end of a private audience at the Vatican, Monday, Jan. 8, 2001. The Pope was presented with the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal joining a select list which includes George Washington, Bob Hope and Mother Teresa. (AP Photo/Massimo Sambucetti) |
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/p/ap/20010108/wl/vatican_pope_us_congres.html
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| Pope John Paul II, center, poses with a delegation of U.S. Senators and House members at the end of a private audience at the Vatican, Monday, Jan. 8, 2001. The Pope was presented with the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal joining a select list which includes George Washington, Bob Hope and Mother Teresa. (AP Photo/Massimo Sambucetti) |
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/p/ap/20010108/wl/vatican_pope_us_congress.html
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| Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., speaker of the U. S. House of Representatives, left, flanked by U.S. Senator Sam D. Brownback, R-Kan., in rear, shakes Pope John Paul II's hand as they meet in a private audience with a delegation of U.S. Senators and House members at the Vatican, Monday, Jan. 8, 2001. (AP Photo/Massimo Sambucetti) |
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/p/ap/20010108/wl/vatican_pope_us_congres_hsj.html
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| Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., speaker of the House of Representatives, center, flanked by Congressman Joe Moakley, D-Mass., left, presents Pope John Paul II with the Congressional Gold Medal during a private audience to a delegation of U.S. Senators and House members at the Vatican, Monday, Jan. 8, 2001. (AP Photo/Massimo Sambucetti) |
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/p/ap/20010108/wl/vatican_pope_us_congres_neg.html
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| Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., speaker of the House of Representatives, right, listens to Pope John Paul II, left, during a private audience with a delegation of U.S. Senators and House members at the Vatican, Monday, Jan. 8, 2001. (AP Photo/Massimo Sambucetti) |
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/p/ap/20010108/wl/vatican_pope_us_congres_9c2.html
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