EUROPE/AZERBAIJAN - “The Pope is close to the elderly, and in our community there are many of them. They all love him and are concerned about his health”, Father Jan Kapla Superior of the Baku Catholic Mission told Fides

Saturday, 5 March 2005

Baku (Fides Service) - “Azerbaijanis show great interest for the Pope. They remember his landmark visit to the country with affection and emotion. Local and Russian media channels are giving regular reports on news from the Vatican”: Salesian Fr. Jan Kapla, Superior of the Baku Mission sui iuris told Fides.
“Every day Catholics and non believers ask me about the Pope’s health. I receive telephone calls from civil authorities and individuals, mostly Muslims. The Pope is very popular here. The small Catholic community here is praying for him and we offered a special Mass for his intentions and his health” Father Kapla told Fides. The community, 150 local Catholics and 120 foreigners, is preparing with joy to welcome 13 new members including three teenage boys who will be baptised at Easter: “The Pope is close to the figure of the elderly and the sick and there are many in our community. They sympathise with the Pope and his present condition. In his letter for Lent this year the Pope asked Catholics to focus on giving special care to the elderly, and he is the first to put it into practice” Father Kapla told Fides.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 5/3/2004 righe 18 parole 193)


Share: