AFRICA/DEMOCRATIC CONGO - “Doctor what is a tracheotomy?” children in Bukavu, east Congo ask when they hear that the Pope is in hospital

Bukavu (Fides Service)- “Children here are very interested in the Pope’s operation and his illness” said Father Luigi Lo Stocco, director of Radio Maria Malkia wa Amani (Radio Maria Queen of Peace) Bukavu south Kivu in the east of Democratic Kivu. “After the news was reported that the Pope had to have an operation some of our children went to the nearest hospital to ask the doctors to explain what tracheotomy means” the missionary told Fides.
“All nine radio stations in Bukavu give regular reports on the Pope’s condition. The headlines are always the situation at the Gemelli hospital. Our own radio has an afternoon children’s programme when children phone in and recently all the questions have been about the Pope and his illness”.
“Everyone in Congo is concerned for the Pope. This is clear during the celebration of mass when people make spontaneous bidding prayers for his recovery and very often the prayers come from children. I would say that in his illness the Pope is even more present among us” concluded Father Luigi. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 1/3/2005 righe 20 parole 221)