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Monday, April 04, 2005
Mayor grateful Pope did not suffer much
DAVAO City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte expressed relief and gratitude on the passing of Pope John Paul II saying the pontiff died in peace and had not suffered from his illness.
In his television program "Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa" Sunday, Duterte said since the pope was declared in critical condition, his only prayer was for the pope not to suffer much from his ailment.
The mayor added that since then he was not hoping for the pope to recover but just die peacefully.
"We share the sadness. Christiandom is in grief right now. Salamat Ginoo kay imo nang gitapos ang iyang pag-antos (Thank You God for ending his suffering)," Duterte said.
He said the pope had done so much service for humanity during his term adding that he will always remember Karol Wojtyla as a crusader for humanity.
Duterte said his concern right now is who will be the next pope and how he will meet the challenges ahead.
The pope died at 9:37 p.m. Saturday (3:37 a.m. Sunday, Manila time) two days after suffering heart failure brought on by two months of acute breathing problems and other infections.
The 84-year-old pontiff died after a long struggle with crippling infirmity, triggering an outpouring of grief Sunday reflecting a tumultuous 26-year pontificate that helped shape global politics and inspired millions of Christians the world over.
Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said he died after an 8:00 pm mass celebrated by aides at his bedside when he was given the last rites.
His body will be brought to St Peter's Basilica on Monday afternoon to lie in state for nine days. (BOT with a report from the Wires)
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (April 4, 2005 issue)
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