Moscow (AsiaNews/Agencies) Initiatives announced by Russian Catholics in Moscow to mark the memory of Pope Wojtyla are: a prayer vigil for youth, a film, and a letter by Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz expressing hope for the rapid outcome of the beatification and canonization process of John Paul II.
In the city epitomizing the unmet wish of the Polish pope for new-found pacification between Catholics and Orthodox, a prayer vigil will be held for youth in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception tomorrow, Saturday. Solemn Mass will be celebrated in the same place on Sunday, the anniversary of the death of John Paul II, to which diplomats and representatives of other religious denominations have also been invited. The service will be followed by the screening of a film on the life of the deceased pope called "Don't be afraid, God loves you".
A letter by Mgr Kondrusiewicz will be distributed to all Russian parishes; in his message the archbishop expresses hope for the "rapid and positive outcome" of the beatification and canonization process of John Paul II.
