Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Baghdad (Fides Service) - Iraqi Catholics braved danger to go to church to pray for the Pope, Reverend Father Pyoss Qasha parish priest at St Joseph’s church in Baghdad told Fides. “Despite the difficulty and much danger people are coming in great numbers to church. We will never forget all that the Holy Father has done for Iraq and for the Christians of this country. He wanted so much to visit our country, to make a pilgrimage to Ur of the Chaldeans, the place of Abraham, the father of Jews, Christians and Muslims. At mass yesterday many cried. We began with a procession with candles and the sad sound of the passing bell from the church towers. The Holy Father loved Iraq and defended it with powerful signs and words having the courage to say No to the war. Although he is now in heaven he is still with us”.
“On Sunday next we will hold a requiem Mass for the Pope in the presence of the Nuncio Archbishop Filoni. We will try to think of the Pope close to us all. We have arranged for two children to bring a large a photograph of the Pope which will be placed near the altar. Then a procession of people of all ages will bring some of his messages: to children, to the elderly, to women, to lay people, to young people for World Youth Day, and passages of each will be read out loud”.
The Mass will be broadcast live on Al Dyar television. The same channel will broadcast the funeral of Pope John Paul II live from Rome. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 4/4/2005 righe 19 parole 195)
