Lahore (AsiaNews) Catholics in Pakistan are praying for the dying Pope. Although both print and electronic media are owned and operated by non Christians John Paul II's fate is receiving ample coverage and many Pakistanis are following the story as it unfolds.
Yesterday evening a prayer vigil for the Pope's health attended by many faithful was held in Lahore's cathedral. At 6:30 am this morning, Mgr Joseph Coutts, Bishop of Faisalabad, celebrated mass for the same reason. Tomorrow, special masses will be celebrated across the country so that John Paul II may recover.
Talking to AsiaNews, Archbishop Lawrence J. Saldanha said he was grateful to the Pope for being "our great guide for so long".
"This Pope," he stressed, "did very well in bridging the gap between Christians and Muslims. [He] opposed the attacks on Muslim nations like Afghanistan and Iraq, which was not only good for world peace but also especially good for us in Pakistan".
Thus, Archbishop Saldanha explained, "the Holy Father revealed to Muslims that the West and Christians are not against Muslims [. . .] a good thing for small religious minorities in Muslim-dominated countries like Pakistan."
He pointed out that "Pakistani Muslims respect John Paul II a lot". The Pope himself visited Pakistan in 1981 where he uttered courageous words "in favour of justice for the countries of the Third World".
In Toba Tek Singh parish church, more than a 100 faithful, many young, participated in a mass for the Pope's health.
"It was a solemn atmosphere, serene and quiet," said Fr Bonnie Mendes, the celebrant. "It is clear how much people love their Pope."