ST. GEORGES, Grenada, Mon. Apr. 4, 2005: Caribbean heads of states and regional Roman Catholic church leaders, are among those joining millions around the world in expressing sadness over the passing of the Holy See, John Paul, II, at about 2:37 ET time (9.37 Rome time) Saturday, April 2, 2005. The Pope, whose embalmed body is expected to be brought to the Basilica today for a public viewing, was remembered by Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Baldwin Spencer, as a man who “… led the way, denouncing economic injustice and insisting on the rights of the exploited.” In expressing his personal sympathy in a telephone conversation with the Vicar General of the Roman Catholic Church of St. John’s/Basseterre, Rev. Father Kevin O’Toole, Spencer noted that Pope John Paul will be missed by the world for championing the need for peace around the world. “He has made a tremendous mark on the world as well as on the lives of the over one billion Catholics whom he leads,” the prime minister added. Grenada’s Prime Minister, Keith Mitchell, who met the Holy Father in 1998, called him a man of God whose faith was as strong as his commitment to human causes. Mitchell, in a statement described the pontiff as a visionary leader who stood for peace and goodwill between all men regardless of religious or political persuasion. Trinidad’s Prime Minister, Patrick Manning, said the Pope was an “inspiration to us all and had a real understanding of human hardship.” “One of the legacies of this Papacy was his deep and abiding interest in matters such as the defense of human rights, regardless of religion, creed or race,” Manning, like his other regional colleagues, added. While the Guyana government remembered His Holiness as “one of the most important and impressive personalities of our time.” “For a quarter of a century, he shepherded his flock with a sure and steady faith towards the ideals and values which he and the Church represented. His moral authority, though stern and uncompromising, earned him widespread admiration and respect,” the statement added. In Cuba, President Fidel Castro declared three days of mourning in remembrance of the Pope, who visited the island in 1998; while Commonwealth Secretary-Genera,l Don McKinnon, said, the world has lost a true friend. Meanwhile, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Georgetown described Pope John Paul, II, as a great prophetic and moral voice in the world and a father to the Universal Church, who devoted much time and energy towards promoting a world order built on justice, peace and true reconciliation. While the Archbishop of Kingston, Jamaica said, the Roman Catholic community and the human family has lost a beloved pastor, outstanding leader and role model.In Barbados, Father Harcourt Blackett lauded the Pontiff as a breath of fresh air for the Catholic Church but looked to the future. He told the Barbados Nation, “We can only hope the Lord sends someone of his caliber to lead the church into what seems like a very uncertain future,” he was quoted as saying. The Holy Father died in his private apartment of septic shock and cardio-circulatory collapse after days of suffering, according to the Vatican in the presence of his two personal secretaries, Archbishop Stanisaw Dziwisz and Msgr. Mieczysaw Mokrzycki; Cardinal Marian Jaworski, Archbishop Stanisaw Ryko, Fr. Tadeusz Stycze; three nuns who assisted in his apartment; Dr. Renato Buzzonetti, his personal physician and the two doctors on call, Dr. Alessandro Barelli and Dr. Ciro D'Allo along with two nurses on call. Millions are already pouring into Rome to pay their last respects. He is slated to be buried later this week. Yesterday, his body lay in the private chapel in which he had prayed, dressed in crimson vestments and a white bishop's miter, his head resting on a stack of gold pillows, his hands clutching a rosary, his pastoral staff under his arm. The College of Cardinals, who now officially govern the 1 billion-strong Roman Catholic Church, was to hold its first meeting today, a pre-conclave gathering expected to plan and set a date for the funeral later this week at St. Peter's Square. The cardinals will read John Paul's final instructions, including his choice of burial place. Most popes in recent centuries have asked to be buried in the crypts below St. Peter's Basilica, but some have suggested the first Polish-born pope might have chosen to be laid to rest in his native country. In addition, the cardinals will arrange for the destruction of John Paul's Fisherman's Ring and the dies used to make lead seals for apostolic letters — formal gestures meant to symbolize the end of his reign and to prevent forgeries. Reprinted from hardbeatnews.com