In the course of the visit, according to the report of the Vatican Information Service, His Holiness announced the appointment of  Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran as the new President of the Pontificical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, and the appointment of Bishop Raffaele Farina SDB, until now the Prefect of the Apostolic Vatican Library, as the new Archivist and Librarian of the Holy Roman Church, at the same time promoting him to the dignity of Archbishop.

In various ways the Pope indicated the purpose and the importance of the "Pope`s" Library and the Secret Archives, mentioning the "marks of appreciation and esteem on the part of cultural Institutions and of private individuals scholars from various countries." "This, in my opinion," the Pope said, "is the best recognition to which the two Institutions can aspire. I would like to assure both to their Superuiors and to all the personnel at all levels, my gratitude and my closeness. I confess that on my seventieth birthday I would heve been so happy if the beloved John Paul  II had allowed me to dedicate myself to study and research the interesting documents and finds you safeguard so carefully, real masterpieces that help us to follow the story of humanity and of Christianity. In his providential designs, the Lord had other plans for me, and here I am today among you not as a passionate student of ancient texts, but as a pastor called to encourage the faithful to work together for the salvation of the world, each one carrying out God`s will where he has placed them."

 Published  26/06/2007