AMERICA/BRAZIL - “Thank you Lord! Thank you John Paul II!”: the cry of gratitude of the Church of Florianopolis for the Pope who was capable of overcoming any border in order to meet his brothers most distant from him

Florianopolis (Fides Agency) - In this moment, as the world mourns the death of John Paul II, the Archdiocese of Florianopolis, in the State of Santa Catarina in Brazil, feels united to this sorrow and at the same time it expresses its gratitude to God and to John Paul II. Thanks to God for having given us a Pope faithful to his mission, synthesised in his words: “Do not be afraid of welcoming Christ!”. Thanks to God for having given us a Missionary Pope, capable of overcoming any boundary in order to meet his sheep most distant from him, under his responsibility; for having given us a coherent Pope, capable of being faithful to the values of the Gospel even when was aware that this would have provoked harsh criticism against him; a happy Pope, conscious that the Gospel is a source of joy and peace. It is also necessary “to thank ‘Joa de Deus’ for the words he left in our hearts” to seek what is essential, sanctity above all. “His mission is accomplished. The world must reflect on the meaning of the countless messages the Pope left us with”.
(RZ) (Fides Agency 7/4/2005)