The world stops to pray for the Pope
Rome (AsiaNews/Agencies) Catholics and non Catholics alike are praying for John Paul's health. Since last night, when news about the Pope's deteriorating conditions was flashed around the world, eyes have been fixed on the Vatican and the Pontiff's health.
In the Philippines, where Catholics account for 85 per cent of the population, Card Jaime Sin said: "We entrust our Holy Father to the Lord and pray that He may guide us and give us the strength in this difficult moment. Let us continue praying for the Pope".
The prelate also called on Filipino bishops to celebrate special masses for the Pope's health.
Like hundreds of others, Linda Nicol and her husband Romy stopped at Manila's Church of the Redeemer to pray. Eyes full of tears, she said: "We hope he may still have a long life because the whole world loves him".
In Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim nation, thousands have gone to church to pray following satellite TV news reports about the Pope's deteriorating health. Indonesians' love for the Pope stems from his tireless commitment to ending religious conflicts, especially on the Maluku Islands
The faithful are praying in East Timor, where the memory of the Pope's 1989 visit is still very much alive. Then, the small Asian nation was still under Indonesian occupation.
Rosalia da Costa, a faithful at prayer, said: "I am distraught at the thought that something might happen to him. He is a very much admired figure who everyone listens to. I won't stop praying for his recovery".
The Sisters of the Order of the Missionaries of Charity, the order Mother Teresa founded, are observing a Friday of prayer in every one of their centres around the world. In a statement released to the press, the Order's Mother House in Kolkata (India) said: "Our Holy Father, we are with you in your moment of suffering. We are praying for you. We love you."
In Iraq, Fr Laith Anwar, of Baghdad's Brotherhood of Charity, said that the entire country is anxiously following the news from Rome. All the faithful are praying and everyone is hoping that the Pope might get well because we need this pastor's stewardship".
In Moscow a mass was celebrated this morning in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception; it ended with Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz appealing to the faithful to "pray so that the Pontiff might recover".
Catholics are mobilising in Australia as well. Prayers are to be recited in every church, in particular in Sydney's St Mary's Cathedral which the Pope visited in 1986.
In Wadowice, the Pontiff's native town, the faithful have gathered in the church where Karol Wojtyla was baptised on May 18, 1920.
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