Pope's 1990 visit recalled

The news of Pope John Paul II's death on the night of April 2, the eve of the feast of Divine Mercy, which he himself had instituted, quickly spread to all corners of the world.

The greatest event in the history of Gozo was the Pope's visit on May 26, 1990. The Pope visited three main places that are intimately connected with the island's religious heritage.

At 10 a.m. a large crowd greeted him at Ta' Pinu Sanctuary and a choir with singers from all over Gozo welcomed him with Marian songs.

Inside the sanctuary he knelt down to pray in front of the miraculous panting of Our Lady and later, accompanied by a number Gozitan priests, he led a concelebrated Mass on the sanctuary square, where a platform was set up for the occasion.

In his homily, the Pope appealed to parents to follow the example of Our Lady, who accepted her Divine Maternity, and fulfil their vocation to be co-operators of God in the birth and education of their children.

After Mass he blessed the gold stellarium, donated by Mgr Benedict Camilleri, who was appointed rector of the sanctuary, and placed it on the painting of Our Lady.

The Pope also visited the Sacred Heart Seminary, where he met various seminarians and priests, and the Gozo Cathedral.

Speaking to The Sunday Times, Bishop Nikol Cauchi said that throughout his life the Pope impressed many people with his work, not only Catholics but also others with different religious beliefs as well as nonbelievers.

He had a place in his heart for everyone, including the sick, children, youths, prisoners and those emarginated from society. Fortified by his strong faith in God, he was always searching for the truth and defended it with every means possible.

Bishop Cauchi said the Pope knew how to adapt himself to the people he met and this was evident not only in his visits to the five continents but also when he came to Gozo.

During these occasions he openly expressed his love for the Virgin Mary and Gozitans were fortunate to see him on his knees in front of the painting of Ta' Pinu, when he led the Mass on the basilica square.

Bishop Cauchi also said that he hopes that the religious and social teachings we received from the Pope will be remembered and treasured in the future, adding that the Catholics of our country should feel it their duty to express their love and faith towards the Spiritual Father and the Universal Church.