President Kumaratunga's audience with Pope John
Paul
PRESIDENT Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga had been
following reports about Pope John Paul's failing health over the past
month. On Sunday morning, when she learnt of his passing away, she was
saddened, and said he had a great life and his now physical ordeals have
come to an end.
In a condolence message to the Vatican, President
Kumaratunga said the late Pontiff's efforts to promote peace in the
immediate post cold war period would be admired in the years to come.
Pope John Paul received in official audience President
Kumaratunga in June 2002. Soon after her audience with the rather frail
octogenarian Pontiff, the President told her aides: "Despite his age and
infirmity His Holiness has a very clear mind." She said: "During each
minute with him my reverence for him kept increasing."
The President spent around 45 minutes with the Pontiff
during the one to one meeting. Pope John Paul II fondly recalled his
last visit to Sri Lanka in 1995. The Pontiff known for his sense of
humour told the President: "I was much younger and fitter then!"
He inquired from President Kumaratunga about the
progress of the peace process and commended her courage for continuing
with her peace efforts even after the unsuccessful attempt on her life
in 1999.
President Kumaratunga then had a meeting with the
Secretary of State of the Vatican, Angelo Cardinal Sodano. The President
was in Rome to attend the World Food Summit. |
