The Pope: Lebanon mourns the loss of a steadfast defender of the land of the cedars
Beirut (AsiaNews) Around 10 pm Saturday night, as local Christian communities were praying for the Pope's health and for the Church, the first news bulletins announced the death of John Paul II.
Sadness and apprehension gave way to mourning and weeping for the death of a man all called "a great friend of Lebanon and a steadfast defender of the rights of the land of the cedars".
All TV and radio stations interrupted their normal programming for live coverage of events unfolding in the Vatican. People of every confession shared in the Catholic Church's sorrow for the loss of the Pope, 'messenger of peace'. And for a long time, bells tolled announcing John Paul II's passing, heard throughout the country.
Today the entire country is celebrating masses in memory of the late pope. Cardinal Nasrallah Sfeir, Maronite Patriarch and chairman of the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Lebanon, celebrated the liturgy in Bkerke, the Patriarchy's seat.
In his homily, the prelate called on all Lebanese to mourn with the Church which, with the death of the Pontiff, has lost "a unique figure whose memory shall live forever in the history of the world". He also urged everyone to "remain faithful to the principles the Holy Father taught".
The Archbishop of Beirut, Mgr Paul Matar, presided over the Eucharistic celebration in the ancient church of Our Lady of the Rosary. In his homily he recalled, tears caressing his face, the Pope's historic 1997 trip to Lebanon.
Lebanon's President Émile Lahoud declared three days of official mourning. In a message to the nation, Lahoud said the Pope had "shared with the Lebanese people their pain in the difficult days they overcame and planted hope in their hearts when they united to rebuild their nation."
Throughout the country, now is a time for silence. Churches are crowded with the faithful who asnwered their pastors' call and are now praying in memory of John Paul II.
As sign of respect local TV and radio stations are playing only classical music. (YH)
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