Parishes urged to hold Mass for Pope

The Archbishop, Mgr Joseph Mercieca, yesterday expressed his disappointment that many people could not take part in a Mass for the repose of the Pope's soul on Tuesday because St John's Co-Cathedral, in Valletta was full.

He recommended that every parish church and community celebrate Mass for Pope John Paul II, whose funeral is tomorrow.

The strong turnout at the Mass on Tuesday meant many people had to remain outside, with The Times receiving complaints that the situation should have been foreseen.

Meanwhile, a number of State and independent schools are planning activities to commemorate Pope John Paul II tomorrow.

While Church schools will be closed for the day, many other schools are making final preparations for tomorrow.

Maria Regina Junior Lyceum head Maria Debono said a special assembly will be held for the school's students and a number of parents have been invited to attend.

There will be a number of readings, including a poem about the Pope written by one of the school's teachers, and students will be asked what the Pope means to them. The school has also sent a condolence letter to the Vatican's Holy Roman Church chamberlain Cardinal Edwardo Martinez Somalo.

Naxxar primary school assistant head Vince Debono said some of the pupils will read extracts from the Pope's life during the morning assembly. During the day the children will be taken to watch a power-point presentation made up of photos of the Pope throughout his life and listen to a documentary about him.

Paola Primary A head Joseph Mifsud said the intention was to speak to the children about the Pope during the morning congregation, while Zurrieq Primary A assistant head Michael Falzon said the school would be holding a special assembly during which both pupils and teachers could express some of their thoughts.

Birkirkara Primary A head Josephine Magro said the school had prepared a big photo of the Pope and children would lay flowers near it. She said the pupils will also sing and pray next to the Pope's photo.

Hannah Cuschieri, the secretary at San Anton School, said the plan was to have a big screen on which children could watch the funeral.

Bernie Mizzi, principal of Chiswick House School and St Martin's College, said special activities will be held in both schools, and a Mass held at Chiswick House School. A commemorative service will be held at St Martin's College.

She said the schools will also be recording the funeral so that the students would have the chance to see various clips during their religion lessons.

People are being invited to place flowers and candles in front of a big poster of the Pope which has been put opposite St Francis' church in Birkirkara by YouthLinks Birkirkara.

A special day trip for the Pope's funeral, which was being organised by Mondial Holidays, has been cancelled since the specially chartered plane was not given permission to land at Fiumicino Airport.

Mondial Holidays general manager Michael Abele said the plane was going to be diverted to Pescara, which is a two-hour drive from Rome, and the company did not want to take the risk of the coach getting caught in traffic. Mr Abele said the other airport in Rome - Ciampino - was being closed because of security surrounding the visit by US President George W. Bush.

A number of Maltese dignitaries, including President Eddie Fenech Adami, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Archbishop Joseph Mercieca and Opposition Leader Alfred Sant, will be attending the funeral tomorrow. Dr Sant yesterday signed the book of condolences at the Appostolic Nunciature, in Tal-Virtù.

As a sign of respect for the Pope a number of activities which were planned for tomorrow have been cancelled. These include a conference about families who do not have a decent life which was being organised by Caritas Malta. The conference has been postponed to April 22 at 6 p.m. at Le Meridien Phoenicia. A conference and concert by Giovanna Iacovazzi about traditional Maltese music, organised by the Italian Cultural Institute, has been postponed to Monday.

A seminar on the prevention of Legionnaires' Disease in the travel industry organised by the Malta Tourism Authority is also being postponed and the authority will be announcing the new date shortly.

The Curia yesterday announced the cathedral museums in Mdina and Valletta and the offices of the Emigrants' Commission will be closed tomorrow as a sign of mourning.

The Nationalist Party's pensioners and elderly people association (APAN) said Pope John Paul II gave a clear example of determination and courage, showing people that even if they have health problems, they should not lose hope.