AFRICA/DEMOCRATIC CONGO - Church bells throughout the diocese are ringing to greet Benedict XVI in Bukavu, in the heart of the Democratic Republic of Congo

Tuesday, 19 April 2005

Bukavu (Fides Service)- “We are overjoyed. This is a time of deep emotion. Church bells are ringing in jubilation ” Fr. Luigi Lo Stocco, director of Radio Maria Queen of Peace in Bukavu diocese, in south Kivu in the east of Democratic Congo, told Fides commenting on local reaction to the news of the election of the new Roman Pontiff, head of the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI.
“The “white smoke” the signal that a Pope had been elected, caused deep emotion also in Bukavu” the missionary said. “Anyone who could find a television did so and watched what was happening in St Peter’s Square”.
“The diocese and our radio prepared the people for the event ” the missionary said. “We printed 4 page leaflets with photographs of all the cardinal electors and distributed them in every parish. Our radio explained the Universi Dominici Gregis document which was a bit difficult for most people to understand. So we explained it more simply ”.
“Tomorrow we have a special programme on the challenges awaiting Benedict XVI. The Programme will be in several local languages, Swahili, Karibu, Twetu” Fr Luigi told Fides. “We are working on a video of the election, similar to one we did for the funeral of John Paul II. This material will be a gift for the new Pope as a message of good wishes for his pontificate”. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 19/4/2005 righe 23 parole 257)


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