AFRICA/ZIMBABWE - “I cannot afford to come to Rome to pay tribute to the Pope, but I know I can always encounter him in my prayers” young Zimbabwean told Fides

Harare (Fides Service)- “I would like so much to come to Rome to say farewell to Pope John Paul II but I cannot afford the journey” Peter, a 20 year old Zimbabwean Catholic in Harare, told Fides. “Most people in Zimbabwe are Protestants or Animists and as Catholics we are proud of Pope John Paul II because he was respected by all as a man of peace and dialogue with believers of all religions” Peter wrote in an e-mail message to Fides.
“Although I cannot come to Rome I know that in prayer I can always meet the Holy Father spiritually. Our country has been in a difficult political and economic crisis for years and we need prayers. I also wish to thank John Paul II for his witness of faith and his teaching that there can be no peace without justice”. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 6/4/2005 righe 15 parole 180)