Main Page                                                 Archive

 

World mourns Pope John Paul's death

     Vatican: The 26 years' reign of Pope John Paul II ended with his death on Saturday night at his Vatican apartment. His body would lie in state for public viewing in St. Peter's Basilica from Monday afternoon at the earliest. The date of funeral has yet not been set, but it is not expected before Wednesday. Three days of national mourning has been announced in Italy, while Poland will hold six days. The political and religious leaders in all parts of the world have been giving their tributes to Pope. Parleys will be held to elect Pope's successor in 15 to 20 days. Almost 117 cardinals from around the globe are expected to gather in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel to choose a successor, as there is no favourite candidate.

     Born on on May 18, 1920, in Wadowice Poland Karol Wojtyla became Pope on October 16, 1978, taking a conservative stand on issues like abortion and contraception. Thousands of people rushed to St Peter's Square to see him, to whom he cheered from the balcony. His mother, a teacher, died when Wojtyla was nine-years-old. His father, a foundry worker and non-commissioned army officer was a strict disciplinarian. As a boy Karol was excellent in studies and sports. Skiing was one of his favourite sports. He also did theatre, wrote poetry and was a keen outdoors man. At the age of 26, Karol Wojtyla became a priest and rose rapidly through the church hierarchy, impressing church officials in Rome with his intellect. At the age of 47 he was named Cardinal of Krakow, after which he began to work quietly to promote political change in Poland.

     Shortly after becoming Pope, the pontiff returned to Poland where his anti-Communist stance made him an ally of the Solidarity movement. His visit prompted an explosion of patriotism and anti- Communist feeling. Later he greeted the movement's leader, Lech Walesa, in an emotional meeting at the Vatican. Millions of Catholics around the world were enabled by John Paul II's vast travels to attend Mass, celebrated by him. He also made an emotional visit to the Polish Auschwitz death camp. In Cuba, the Pope prodded Fidel Castro to loosen the rules preventing people to worship. On May 13, 1981 a gunman attempted to shoot him, while he was circling St Peter's Square. But his fortune helped him escape the assassination attempt. Pope never slowed down. He preserved his sense of humour even in the later years of his life, when he started looking exhausted during public appearances.

     During his 26 papacy, Vatican TV came into existence, which captured on camera every meeting and mass attended by him. Pope's views against abortion, birth control, homosexuality and female priests estranged many Catholics and many of his critics. His strong stance on birth control brought the Vatican into affray with the United Nations. But his efforts to promote world peace earned him praise. Pope made controversial visits to Greece, Syria and Malta in 2001, in which he offered a sweeping statement of regret for 'sins of action and omission' against those of the Christian Orthodox faith. Many Greek Orthodox leaders protested against his visit, but there were some that gave him warm welcome. The Pope was a strong advocate of peace. During US-led invasion of Iraq he expressed strong anti-war feelings and met Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz and British Prime Minister Tony Blair to persuade them to resolve the conflict peacefully. The Pope held week-long celebrations on his silver jubilee as pontificate in 2003.

     In February 2005, the Pope was admitted to hospital suffering from a severe bout of the flu. In Feb, 2005 he was re-admitted to hospital for a relapse he suffered. On 31st March 2005 his health deteriorated because of a urinary infection, and he was given the Catholic communion, reserved for the sick and dying. He was given food from the feeding tube.

Three Indian Cardinals to vote for papacy (Go To Top)

     Ranchi/Ernakulam: Three Indian Cardinals are preparing to leave for the Vatican City today to take part in the crucial vote which will choose a successor to Pope John Paul II, who died after a prolonged illness. Pope's 26-year papacy came to an end on Saturday late night. He helped defeat Communism in Europe but left a Roman Catholic Church divided over his rigorous orthodoxy. The Pope died in his bed at 9:37 p.m (1437 EST), surrounded by the only family he had -- his closest Polish aides. The conclave to elect a new Pope will start in 15 to 20 days, with 117 cardinals from around the globe gathering in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel for the vote. Cardinals, often referred to as the "princes of the Church", are the closest advisors to the pope and are personally named by him. They are usually archbishops of major dioceses or heads of influential agencies at the Vatican. They outrank all other clergy besides the Pope.

     The word cardinal comes from the Latin "cardo" (hinge) and symbolises the link they assure between the Vatican and major dioceses around the world. Their trademark red hat stands for their readiness to shed their blood for the Church. A cardinal's most important job is electing a papal successor from among his or her own ranks in a conclave after the death of a Pontiff. Only those under the age of 80 are eligible to participate. As the Pope's top advisors, they help him govern by serving on Vatican congregations and councils, the equivalent of government ministries. The Pope has himself appointed all but two of the 117 cardinal electors. They hail from five continents and 53 different countries. The majority -- 77-- run an archdiocese while 23 work in the Curia and 17 have no official post. There is no favourite candidate to take over.

     Cardinal Telesphone Toppo, from Jharkhand, where millions of impoverished jungle-dwellers have adopted Christianity in the past decade, is one of the three cardinals who will be going from India to cast the vote. Toppo denied speculation over a possible haggling over Christianity's top post saying choosing the successor was in the hands of God and no other. In southern Kerala's Ernakulam town cardinal Verkey Mar Vithahil, prayed for the departed Pope terming his demise as a great loss to humanity. Cardinal Ivan Dias from Mumbai is in line for succession. Although born in Bombay Dias spent most of his adult life serving as a Church diplomat outside of India before returning as his city's archbishop in 1997. That career path could explain his status as an Asian prelate more in tune with conservative Vatican thinking than some reformist views that have emerged in the Church in Asia.

      Time stops at the Vatican between the death of a Pope and the ascension to the throne of a successor. The period is known by a Latin word -- interregnum -- that means "between the reigns" with the power vacuum lasting for more than two weeks. Until a conclave has chosen a new Pope, the governing of the Church is entrusted to the Sacred College of Cardinals, but only for what Church rules call "ordinary business and matters which cannot be postponed". The world will know the transition has ended when the dean of the College of Cardinals steps out onto the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to announce to the crowds in the square "Habemus Papem" ("We have a Pope").

---