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The need for “the peculiar identity, rights and role of the Churches, to be clearly recognized, in the sign of freedom and reciprocal collaboration between religious and civil institutions”, was reaffirmed by the president of the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI), Cardinal Camillo Ruini, during the meeting held in Rome between the representatives of the Christian […]

Bulgarian politicians, intellectuals, artists, and religious leaders, all united by their gratitude and esteem for the Pope. Last year Bulgaria received a visit from John Paul II. The people had been waiting for it for years. It was an extraordinary occasion for the Catholic minority in a country that is largely Orthodox, in which 10% […]

Good wishes on behalf of all the French bishops and the Catholics of France were expressed to the Pope by the president of the French Episcopal Conference, Archbishop Jean Pierre Ricard of Bordeaux. “On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of your pontificate – writes Msgr. Ricard to the Pope – I wish to express […]

An “exciting” pontificate: in the view of Father Umberto Baratto, Latin vicar of Nicosia (Cyprus) the twenty-five years of John Paul II’s pontificate have been unforgettable. “We cannot forget – declares Father Baratto – the constant appeals to forgiveness, peace and reconciliation. And for us who live in a divided country [partitioned between Turkey and […]

“Gratitude and spiritual closeness” is what the Catholic Church of Turkey expresses to John Paul II on the 25th anniversary of his pontificate. In the words of Father Davide Vezoli, general secretary of the Turkish Episcopal Conference, it also prays for the “physical and moral graces which the Pope needs to continue his apostolate. And […]

The Slovene bishops shall never forget all that the Pope has done for Slovenia. Their gratitude has been expressed in a letter sent to John Paul II on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of his pontificate. Its purpose was explained to SIR by Father Janez Gril, spokesman of the Slovene bishops: “Slovenia is happy […]

“Friend of the young, apostle of peace, defender of life and messenger of justice, the Pope does not leave us indifferent. Even if not all our fellow-citizens share his ethical teaching, very few fail to recognise that he has a spiritual stature quite out of the ordinary”: so write the bishops of Belgium in a […]

“The history of Europe and of the world has been influenced by your pontificate in a decisive way”, declares Bishop Reinhard Marx of Trier, in a letter of good wishes to mark the 25th anniversary of John Paul II’s pontificate. “Over these last twenty-five years – writes the bishop to the Pope – you have […]

“With this highly significant gesture you have wished to give a voice to the feelings of the people who live in this magnificent and special city: feelings of deep affection, gratitude and admiration for this Pope who has established a unique and extraordinarily strong relationship with Rome over the last 25 years”. With these words […]

Greece: "a time of grace"" "

“A time of grace for the whole Church”: that’s how Msgr. Nicolaos Foskolos, president of the Greek Episcopal Conference and archbishop of Athens, defines the twenty-five years of pontificate of John Paul II. “All Greek Catholics are close to the Pope and are praying for him, that the Lord may give him strength and health […]