An estimated a crowd of 1.5 million people assembled for the the beatification of John Paul II. Many camped out during the night in the square, which was bedecked with posters of the late pope and one of his most famous sayings, “Do not be afraid!”
St Peter’s Square was jam-packed and the crowd stretched as far back as the Tiber River, more than half a kilometre away. The throng of devotees, many carrying national flags and singing songs, had moved towards the Vatican area from all directions from before dawn to get a good spot for the Mass.
The celebration was anticipated in New Zealand because the sun rises early here. Celebrating the mass at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Wellington was Archbishop John Dew said Pope John Paul II became a hero of Poland after he helped to bring about the fall of communism in 1989. Archbishop Dew said Pope John Paul is remembered for his tenderness, compassion.” He used to say the future of the church is by way of its humanity – when people are living as really good human beings they can attract others to the life of the gospel.”
Members of the Wellington’s Polish community attended to represent Pope John Paul’s homeland. Some wearing traditional outfits, they carried the Polish flag in a procession, before a reading by Polish Ambassador Beata Stoczynska.
In Auckland, the Pope’s representative in New Zealand, Archbishop Charles Balvo, blessed a statue of Pope John Paul at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral.
Source
Radio New Zealand
Television New Zealand
Image: Aljazeera
