Astaná (AsiaNews) – Kazakhs reacted to the death of Pope John Paul II with "sorrow, emotion and pride" for the Pontiff had visited the largely Muslim nation in 2001.

"The sorrow felt by Kazakhs," said Fr Livio Lodigiani, a fidei donum priest in Astaná, "comes from the fact that they saw in the Pope a common father. Their emotional reaction stems from seeing so many people going to St Peter's to say their last farewell to the Pope".

But there is also pride for the people of the Kazak capital. "Kazakhs," again noted Father Lodigiani "are proud that someone as important as the Pope, who was admired by people of every religion, visited their country".

The Father explained that as soon as the news of the Pope's death was made public, Muslim students at the Eurasia University—where he teaches—came up to him to express their heartfelt condolences, always making sure to remember the Pontiff's 2001 visit".

State TV and radio announced that tonight a memorial mass will be held for the Pope in Astaná's Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Mgr Wesolowski Jòsef, the Apostolic Nuncio, will celebrate the service.

A Book of Condolences was set up at the Nunciature and Kazakh President Noursoultan Nazarbaïev was among the first to sign. He is sending an official delegation to Rome for the papal funeral.

On Friday, a giant screen inside the Cathedral will broadcast the funeral live with some local students providing simultaneous translation. (LF)