BY KATHI STEARNS

Staff Writer

ATLANTA--Archbishop John F. Donoghue said that he told Pope John Paul II about the growth that the Archdiocese of Atlanta is experiencing when he met with him in Rome March 17 during his ad limina visit.

"I told him that we were going to build new schools and that the number of Catholics in the area continues to increase," Archbishop Donoghue said. "He was very excited about the growth of the Catholic population in the Bible Belt."

The ad limina visit is made by the heads of all the world's dioceses every five years and entails a personal visit to the tombs of Sts. Peter and Paul, a personal visit and interview with the Holy Father, during which the bishop renews his obedience and loyalty to the vicar of Christ and a written report on the state of his archdiocese. The archbishop was one of several bishops from Region 4, which covers mid-Atlantic and Southeast dioceses, who made the trip March 15-26.

"The trip to the Vatican enables me to report on the diocese's current status, attend congressional meetings and spend some personal time with the Holy Father," the archbishop said. "Those 15 minutes with the Holy Father are always the highlight of the trip. It is always so special to be with him."

In addition to meeting with the pope, Archbishop Donoghue visited the Congregation for Bishops, the Congregation for the Clergy, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Congregation for Catholic Education. It was here that Cardinal Pio Laghi, prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education, said that he was impressed with the Archdiocese of Atlanta's Quinquennial Report which stated that there were 70 men studying for the priesthood.

"The cardinal said that our numbers were quite remarkable," the archbishop recalled. "I told him that we had a great vocations program and directors. I also told him of our Eucharistic Renewal and how numerous parishes offered perpetual adoration. He told me that someday soon we will be at a point where we can lend our priests to dioceses in need."

Archbishop Donoghue said that he also had dinner with the seminarians studying at the North American College in Rome for the Archdiocese of Atlanta.

"It is good to see them and also meet with young men who are considering the Archdiocese of Atlanta," he said.

Archbishop Donoghue said that he was saddened by the death of Bishop John R. Keating of Arlington, Va., who died in Rome the night of March 21-22, shortly after he met with Pope John Paul II to report on the state of his diocese.

Bishop Keating, 63, suffered a massive heart attack at the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales residence in Rome. His body was found in his room when he did not show up for breakfast.

"It was such a shock to us all," Archbishop Donoghue said. "He had a heart condition for years, but no one knew it. It caught us all off guard."

The Region 4 bishops still in Rome scheduled a Mass for Bishop Keating March 24 at the North American College with Cardinal William H. Keeler of Baltimore as chief celebrant.