Vatican City (AsiaNews) A moment of silence was observed at noon today in the Paul VI Hall when the Pope and all those gathered joined the rest of Europe in prayers for the tsunami victims in Asia.
Even before the three minutes of silence were observed, John Paul II had referred to those who suffered and were still suffering in Asia at the beginning and the end of today's general audience.
In his speech before the audience, the Pope placed the New Year under the protection of Mary, "marked as it is by a deep concern for the sufferings which the people of South-East Asia are presently undergoing."
Towards the end of the meeting, when he read his greetings in several languages, the Pope mentioned to his Italian audience the day of mourning
"Today, in Europe," he said, "is a day of mourning for those who perished in the tsunami that so tragically touched south-east Asia.
"I once more call on everyone to join me in prayers for the many who died and for the communities affected."
The Pope then started reciting the Pater Noster, joined by the 8,000 present.
The third time the tsunami tragedy was mentioned came at the end of the general audience when a prelate announced that John Paul II and everyone in the hall would observe the three minutes of silence and prayer.
For three minutes, the Pope prayed, hands joined together.
A Pater, a Hail Mary and a Requiem followed.
In the last few days, the Pope's thoughts turned to the tsunami victims several times.
On December 26, he called on the international community to act quickly to help the affected populations.
In his private chapel, he celebrated Midnight Mass for them on New Year's Eve.
He addressed special greetings to the ambassadors of the countries "that were especially affected by this immense cataclysm".
He had special greetings for the victims during the mass celebrated on January 1 for World Peace Day.
During the Angelus on the same day, he said he saw "the outpouring of compassion and empathy throughout the world as a sign of hope. It is this sense of compassion for fellow humans as well as God's help that give hope for better days in the coming year."
The next day, January 2, in answering as to why the innocent should endure so much sorrow, he said: "Faith teaches us that in the most difficult and painful trialsas in the recent calamity in south-east AsiaGod does not abandon us." (FP)