SLOVAKIA: Concern about the failing health of Pope John Paul II was greatly diminished yesterday, the second day of his pastoral visit to the Republic of Slovakia, writes Paddy Agnew in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia
Looking and sounding stronger than on Thursday when he had both appeared in pain and was unable to finish his opening-day keynote speech, the 83-year-old Pope presided over a two-hour open-air Mass in the historic central Slovakian town of Banska Bystrica.
Perhaps in deference to his obvious speech problems, though, the Pope read only the initial and concluding sections of his homily, leaving the rest to be read by Cardinal Jozef Tomko of Slovakia. A huge crowd braved a persistent drizzle to listen to the pontiff whose homily, although focused on pastoral themes, also recalled the sufferings of the Slovak church under communist repression.
Referring to a statue of the Madonna, once banished by the communist authorities but now back at its original site in National Revolution SNP Square where yesterday's mass was held, the Pope said: "The place where we are assembled is especially meaningful in the history of your city.
"It calls to mind the respect and devotion of your ancestors towards almighty God and the Blessed Virgin Mary. At the same time, it recalls the attempt to profane this precious inheritance, perpetrated by a bleak regime of not so many years ago."
Greeting the Pope, Bishop Rudolf Balaz made a point of thanking him for having come to Slovakia for the third time, notwithstanding his health problems, saying: "Your visit is extremely precious for us because you come to us with weakened health."
Bishop Balaz also made reference to the statue of the Madonna, pointing out how it had been removed in order to facilitate a 1964 visit by USSR leader, Nikita Kruschev. On his way back from that visit, Kruschev was removed from the post of general secretary by the communist party central committee. Bishop Balaz commented: "This is a lesson that, in each time, regardless of one's position, one should be able to respect spiritual values."
Several times during the ceremony, pilgrims interrupted the Pope to shout, "Long Live The Holy Father", whilst several of those present held up handwritten signs of greeting in Polish. Slovak authorities estimate that as many as 250,000 Poles will attend the Pope's four day visit, the 102nd of his 25-year pontificate.
Today the Pope will preside over Mass in Roznova while the visit concludes tomorrow with a beatification ceremony in Bratislava. Due to be beatified are two Slovak martyrs, Bishop Vasil Hopko and Sister Zdenka Schelingova, who died respectively in 1976 and 1955 after long periods of incarceration and torture under the former Czechoslovak communist regime.