“A loving grandfather who takes an interest in all the members of his family”: that’s the image of John Paul II that remains indelibly lodged in the memory of Msgr. Georges Marovitch, spokesman of the Turkish Bishops’ Conference. His thoughts go back to the time when John Paul II visited Istanbul (28-30 November 1979), or when the Turkish bishops were received on their ad limina visit to Rome (19 February 2001). “On that occasion – recalls Marovitch – the Pope met us one by one. Before him he had a map of the country and he asked each bishop where the diocese he led was situated, and what problems he faced, and he listened and conversed with each with great interest. He seemed to me like a grandfather who takes a loving interest in his own family. And the image of him is still fresh in my mind”. The celebrations of the first anniversary of the Pope’s death will take place at diocesan level. Each diocese will hold a service of remembrance in its own cathedral on 2 April to participate together with the universal Church in the common prayer. “So far the Turkish media have not spoken much of this anniversary – concludes Msgr. Marovitch – but it’s possible they will do so in the run-up to the event. The same goes for the other Christian confessions; for the time being no particular anniversary events are reported”.
