A Pope who brought down many walls of division - Speaker

The House of Representatives yesterday saluted the memory of Pope John Paul II in a special commemorative sitting.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said the Pope had been an extraordinary beacon of light for the world. He had shown how one should preach and live Christian values in today's life. Fundamental to the Pope was his belief in the dignity of the human being from conception until death and his insistence that there could be no discrimination between people, under any circumstances.

His Holiness was a leader with whom everyone could associate. Young people saw him as a model whose values inspired them even in modern life. As a child and as a youth he had lived through difficult times, losing his parents early and then suffering discrimination and lack of freedom under Nazism and Communism. He knew what it meant to be oppressed by political systems which did not respect the people's dignity.

The Pope had been a manual worker, a scholar, a teacher, a poet, a victim of violent crime and a victim of disease. He had also suffered the ravages of old age.

His Holiness had recognised the signs of the times and his papacy had influenced the course of history. Lech Walesa had in an interview acknowledged the Pope's crucial role in the birth of a movement which led to the collapse of communism and the reunification of Europe.

The Pope recognised the value of open and ongoing dialogue which never closed the door to solutions, even in desperate circumstances. He had worked to bring religions closer together and consistently preached the message of peace and his condemnation of war and violence. He often insisted that there could be no peace without justice and no justice without forgiveness.

Dr Gonzi said the Pope, who visited Malta twice, had two main messages for the Maltese. He had exhorted Malta to remain the faithful witness of Christian values in Europe. He had also urged the Maltese to remove their divisions and work together for their common good.

These were powerful and relevant messages which all should recall and cherish as the treasures bequeathed to the Maltese by the Pope.

This, Dr Gonzi concluded, was a moment of sorrow in which one could not but take pride in the work of the Pope towards life and service to humanity.

Opposition leader Afred Sant said the Pope had set an example in the way he fought infirmity in his last years, despite a crippling disease which imposed a very heavy burden. He knew since his father had also suffered from it.

The Pope, Dr Sant said, was a hero of thought and action throughout his life and had left an impression on everyone.

He had lived his life with unparalleled integrity and he had had a huge impact on the world. He had won respect that was far greater than that accorded to previous Popes, with the exception perhaps of Pope John XXIII. For this was a Pope who had united peoples who did not share his religious beliefs.

Historians would argue on whether he had brought down communism. Certainly there were other sectors which also contributed to this collapse.

But Pope John Paul never shirked from using the Vatican's strong influence to bring about major change in Poland which certainly led to the other major changes in Europe.

The Pope had also struggled against Nazism and Fascism and suffered as a result. His life was a continuous pilgrimage that sought the truth and justice as he understood them, based on values and prejudices in which he grew.

He remained humane in everything he did, which was why he was loved by billions despite controversial decisions which caused hardship to many. For practically everyone agreed that his decisions were motivated by good will. Even those who disagreed with him conceded this, such as in the case of liberation theology and the treatment of theologians which did not walk in step with the Vatican bureaucracy, the gays, and those who did not agree with his views on contraception. Despite these controversies and others, the Pope continued to be respected as a holy, upright and straightforward man who was always seen as taking the side of the poor and the weak, even when, for moral reasons, his decisions imposed more burdens on such people.

Was it true that Pope John Paul looked the other way when Archbishop Romero sought the Vatican's support against political and social injustices in Central America? History would judge. But Pope John Paul II certainly had the courage of his convictions.

He was also a Pope who loved Malta and who was loved by the Maltese, as evidenced during his two visits here.

He was not only a Pope, and a politician, but also a poet who understood the importance of the labour sector in people's lives. This was evidenced also in his writings as a poet. Dr Sant proceeded to read a poem, called The Quarry, which the future Pope wrote when he was a worker in a quarry.

Concluding the 30-minute sitting, the Speaker, Anton Tabone, said His Holiness was often praised for his contribution in bringing down the Berlin Wall. But he was no doubt responsible for bringing down many other walls of division, such as those which divided Christians, Moslems and Jews, the walls which divided the rich countries from those that were poor and the west from the east. He was also the Pope who apologised for the mistakes committed in the past by those who acted on behalf of the Church and he forgave those who acted against the Catholic Church.

His total dedication to peace was a shining example to world leaders. The tributes now pouring in from all the leaders of the world were evidence of the respect he enjoyed. His humility gave him moral strength and he was a source of inspiration for politicians through his dedication for the poor, the sick and the emarginated. He had even forgiven the man who tried to kill him.

Mr Tabone said the Pope's two visits to Malta had had a major impact. Just as unforgettable was the Pope's meeting for parliamentarians from all over the world in Rome five years ago. On that occasion the Pope had named St Thomas More as patron saint of parliamentarians.

St Thomas More was an MP in 1504 and was appointed Speaker of the House of Commons in 1523.

In Rome His Holiness had insisted that involvement in political life should be inspired by service to others and not be an exercise to win votes.

The passing away of such a great Pope instilled sorrow, but one should be grateful for such a long and fruitful pontificate, Mr Tabone said.

MPs then observed a minute's silence.

The House meets again on Monday.