JOHN PAUL II AND YASSER ARAFAT MEET FOR 5TH TIME

VATICAN CITY, DEC 19, 1996 (VIS) - Following is the communique issued this morning by the Holy See Press Office following today's visit to Pope John Paul II by Yasser Arafat:

"This morning the Holy Father received Yasser Arafat. It is the fifth audience given by His Holiness to the Palestinian president who, moreover, last September had a working meeting with the Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano.

"After the audience Mr. Arafat, accompanied by his collaborators, went to the Secretariat of State where he had a meeting of approximately 30 minutes with Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, secretary for Relations with States.

"In both meetings there was an exchange of news and impressions on proceedings of the negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians, and on the situation of the peoples of the autonomous territories. Special attention was dedicated to the climate of tension and suffering, which can be noted in the Arab sector of Jerusalem.

"Taken up again was the question, already covered last September, of the collaboration to adequately prepare the city of Bethlehem for the celebrations of the Jubilee Year 2000.

"Before leaving the apostolic palace, the Palestinian delegation had a guided tour of the Sistine Chapel."
OP/VISIT ARAFAT/SODANO:TAURAN VIS 961219 (210)