HANOVER, (ZENIT) - The Vatican has prepared a pavilion for World Expo 2000, to be held in Hanover, Germany, from June 1 to October 31. Apostolic Nuncio Giovanni Lajolo was present for the ceremony.

    The central space of the Vatican pavilion, which is made of glass and wood, will be surrounded by a construction in the shape of a ring. In the main building there will be a single picture of the face of Christ; in the ring there will be sculptures from the Vatican Museums and photographic panels illustrating subjects of the social doctrine of the Church.

    Special emphasis will be placed on the topics of peace, children, women, the family, the dignity of suffering man. The pavilion has the same motto as the Jubilee: "Christ Yesterday, Today, and Forever," integrating with the main theme of Expo 2000: "Man, Nature, and Technology." After the Exposition closes, the pavilion will be used as a social center in Latvia.

    Archbishop Lajolo explained that the Vatican decided to take part in Expo 2000 because it "offers a world vision of the state of modern civilization and its prospects for the third millennium." Moreover, he added, "40 million visitors are expected."

    "To all those who come to this pavilion, the Holy See will speak in favor of man in his social reality, with its positive and negative aspects, and with his hopes, which must be inspired by values that do not deteriorate," the Apostolic Nuncio said.

    At the entrance of the ring-shaped section, there will be a sign in several languages summarizing the Vatican pavilion's message: "Man is the way of the Church; Christ is the way of man." ZE00011407