Archbishop John P. Foley, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, announced November 6, 2001, in a communique that the theme that Pope John Paul has chosen for World Communications Day on May 12, 2002 is "Internet: A New Forum for Proclaiming the Gospel." The council president added that this particular theme "touches one of the key means of communication developed in recent years and now which is of particular interest to young people."

World Communications Day is the only worldwide celebration called for by Vatican Council II. Suggested in the 1963 conciliar document "Inter Mirifica," this day is celebrated in most countries, as suggested by the world’s bishops, on the Sunday before Pentecost. The Pope’s Message for this day is traditionally published on the January 24 feast of St. Francis de Sales, patron of writers.

Message for World Day of Prayer for Vocations. The Holy Father’s message for the 39th World Day of Prayer for Vocations, which will be celebrated on April 21, 2002 was released November 24. In excerpts from the text he said, "the main task of the Church is to lead Christians along the path of holiness, so that, illuminated by the intelligence of faith, they may learn to know and contemplate Christ’s face and to rediscover in him their own authentic identity and the mission that the Lord entrusts to each of them."

Calling for more vocations to the priesthood he warns, "the small number of candidates to the priesthood and consecrated life reported in some situations today, must not lead us to expect less and settle for a mediocre formation and spirituality. Rather, it should urge greater attention to the selection and the formation of those who, once constituted ministers and witnesses of Christ, will be called upon to confirm with holiness of life, what they announce and celebrate.

The Holy See condemns in vitro cloning of human embryo. In response to the article published by the researchers of Advanced Cell Technology in "The Journal of Regenerative Medicine" that announced the in vitro production of a human embryo, the Holy See Press office released a communique that states, in part: "The (Journal) article shows in all its dramatic nature the gravity of the event that has been realized: the in vitro production of a human embryo, as a matter of fact, several embryos, that have been developed, respectively, to the stage of two, four and six cells. "Not withstanding the declared ‘humanistic’ intentions of those who announce amazing healings through this method," the communique affirms, "a calm but firm evaluation is necessary that will show the moral gravity of this project and motivate its unequivocal condemnation."