World has lost a revered religious dignitary: PM

THE world has lost a highly revered religious dignitary with the passing away of Pope John Paul II, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse said.

In a message of condolence to His Eminence Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Secretary of State to the Holy See, The Vatican, on the passing away of Pope John Paul II, the Prime Minister said: "Your Eminence, I am deeply saddened to hear the passing away of His Holiness Pope John Paul II.

The Holy Father's demise has caused the entire world to grieve as the world has lost a highly revered religious dignitary.

What endeared us to the Holy Father most was that he was very close to the people and was very humble. His penchant to travel to all corners of the Earth to meet people of different nationalities and to bless them was clear evidence that he loved meeting people.

Even when he was gravely ill, he made every attempt to appear before the people with the noble gesture of blessing them.

It is no wonder, therefore, that most people would refer to him as People's Pope.

Holy Father's humility was exemplified when he made an apology to the world for any excesses committed by the Catholic Church or its followers throughout the ages.

It is a very rare incident in the Pontificate, but it makes a lasting impression in the minds of the people of the world that the Holy Father considered the spirit of humanity as the most important, irrespective of any religion, race or class.

Those of us who are advocates of human rights found in the great Pontiff, a leader to emulate.

The Holy Father was fearless and forthright when it came to issues of human rights. The late Pope's fearlessness in world issues also became evident when he led a campaign against abortion and criticised the US invading Iraq. Such was the late Pope's greatness.

My family was extremely fortunate to meet the Holy Father on his visit to Sri Lanka in 1995, which is a landmark in our country's history.

His compassion towards people of all faiths has endeared him to all non-Catholics of the world.

Therefore, most Sri Lankans, irrespective of the religious faith, mourn the Holy Father's passing away. Your Eminence I too offer my deepest condolences to you as well as to all Catholics of the world in this hour of grief.

In this period of mourning all over the world, the people of Sri Lanka too would show their solidarity with mourning and prayers.

Please accept, Your Eminence, the assurances of my highest consideration."