Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Quito (Fides Service) - As soon as the humble and simple people who welcomed John Paul II here twenty years ago in 1985, and who have always shown affection and admiration for the Vicar of Christ, heard the news of the Pope’s death they cried as if they had lost one of the family. Many went immediately to church to pray, the Pontifical Mission Societies in Ecuador told Fides. Newspapers and television and radio have been broadcasting special programmes on the Pope’s life and pontificate, calling him: “a giant of the faith”, “angel dressed as a man”, “shining example”, “man of God”. Many who remember the Pope’s visit to Ecuador in 1985 shared their testimony on the different means of communication. It can be said that the whole of society is rediscovering the value of the messages John Paul II left the nation on the occasion of his visit.
The Bishops of Ecuador on the National Catholic Radio expressed grief for the death of John Paul II and highlighted his pontificate. Those who were young people at the time of the visit recalled the Pop’s encounter with youth. Catholic school children and Holy Childhood children prayed for the Pope and ask for more information about him and the animators did their best to meet all the requests. Since Sunday 3 April every day there have been requiem Masses with the participation of crowds of people and many civil authorities. Osvaldo Fierro of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Ecuador said that other Christians and members of other religious communities voiced grief for the death of John Paul II and appreciation for his efforts to promote ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue. (R.Z.) (Agenzia Fides 7/4/2005)
