The death of John Paul II and the huge crowds converging on Rome from every part of the world to pay tribute to the pontiff and participate in his funeral are monopolising the attention of all the European papers. Never as on this occasion do the headlines better reflect the content of the various articles. “The big ‘thank you'” is the banner headline that dominates the front page of the French Catholic daily “La Croix” (04/04), which dedicated two thirds of its front page to a colour photo with the image of the blessing Pope before whom children and adolescents light candles. To John Paul II the paper dedicates the editorial by its editor in chief Bruno Frappat with the title “Universal gratitude” and a special 32-page tribute. On the following day (05/04) the headline chosen by the same paper was “ The roads to Rome”, referring both to the hundreds of thousands of pilgrims making their way to the heart of Christianity and the many world personalities expected to attend the funeral. Frappat this time signed an editorial with the title “Vox populi …”, to which a further 12 pages of special reports are added. “The huge crowd of those who keep vigil” is the headline of 7/4 dedicated to the thousands of pilgrims waiting to pay their last respects to the pope. The non-confessional daily “Le Monde” (03-04/04 Sunday and Monday), in reporting on the Pope’s death, chose the headline “ John Paul II, a legacy without frontiers” and also dedicated a special insert to his life and work with the title “The Pope of the masses”. “Heads of State and millions of pilgrims take the roads to Rome” is the headline chosen by “Le Monde” on the following day (05/04), responding to the phenomenon of the unprecedented surge in the numbers of faithful bound for the Italian capital. “Week of mourning for John Paul II in Rome” is the headline of the same paper on Wednesday (06/04). “We must see this Pope one last time” is the opening headline in the “International Herald Tribune” (05/04), accompanied by an article reporting on “The thousands gathered to pay tribute to the pontiff”. On the following day (06/04) the same paper chose as its front-page headline “The influx to see the Pope surprises the Vatican”, accompanied by a comment by Roger Cohen with the title “A personal look at religious belief in the life of the pope”. “Pilgrims invade Rome. Conclave on 18 April” is the paper’s headline on 7 April. The weekly magazine “Time” chose a photograph of the smiling young John Paul II (taken about 12-15 years ago) for its commemorative number dedicated to him. The cover presents the lapidary phrase: “Pope John Paul II 1920-2005”. The pages inside the magazine dedicated to the pope have the title “A pilgrim’s journey”. The German press has devoted similar coverage to the Pope’s death: “A truly Great Man of this earth” headlines the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (4/4); “The world looks to Rome”; “The Holy Year multiplied by 10” comments the Frankfurter Rundschau (5/4); “Millions of pilgrims converge on Rome”; “The Pope removed the terrain from Communism” says Die Welt (6/4); “Just after his election there was widespread criticism of his theological positions in Germany. Today many see in him the world’s great ethical authority”, comments the Rheinischer Merkur (6/4); “He was conservative, he was stubborn, he was a provocation. He said: Kneel, pray the Rosary! But millions of people in all continents are now weeping for the Pope and even those who don’t pray feel respect for him, even his adversaries. In the hour of leave-taking the world suddenly seems more at risk”, writes Matthias Matussek in “ Spiegel” online, the internet edition of Der Spiegel (2/4). The huge crowds standing in line to pay their last respects to John Paul II dominate the front pages of all the Spanish dailies on 6/4. “Millions of pilgrims overwhelm Rome” comments Abc. “Over a million pilgrims pass in procession before the Pope’s catafalque” headlines El Paìs, while according to La Razón “Faith brings Rome to its knees. Spaniards and Poles the most numerous pilgrims”. La Vanguardia reports that “The Pope will be laid to rest in the tomb of John XXIII. Six hours of standing in line to pay tribute to John Paul II. Rome under siege with 15,000 policemen on guard and the air space closed during the funeral”. El Periódico on the other hand notes: “Popular passion and political coolness for John Paul II”. In its editorial of 5/4 on “ The Pope and universal values” the Abc comments that “in this general crisis of values, John Paul II was able to speak to the conscience of the world and to the feelings of people of good faith, whatever their origin and condition“ . The editorial of La Razón points out that “on Friday the Vatican Basilica will contain the largest concentration of world leaders ever registered. The Pope who came in from the cold has made it possible that, at least for a few hours, enemies will succeed in praying together”. ———————————————————————————————————– Sir Europa (English) N.ro assoluto : 1378 N.ro relativo : 27 Data pubblicazione : 09/04/05
