Brazilians flock to churches to pray for Pope John Paul II
Asian Economic News, April 4, 2005
RIO DE JANEIRO, April 1 Kyodo
The world's largest Catholic country has been following with deep concern the deterioration of Pope John Paul II's health.
Local Catholics have flocked to churches to pray for the Holy Father who has visited Brazil three times. A crowd estimated at 25,000 people attended an outdoor mass held by Father Marcelo, the most popular Catholic priest in the country, on Thursday night.
The National Conference of Brazilian Bishops, the local representative body of the Catholic Church, has urged all Brazilians ''to pray for John Paul II for God to assist him and comfort him.''
Brazilian Archbishop Claudio Hummes held ''a special celebration for the Pope'' at the Sao Paulo cathedral in the afternoon. Hummes, 70, is one of the names who many see as possible successors to John Paul II.
''This is the time for all Brazilians to pray for the Pope's soul,'' Hummes said.
Official statistics show that there are some 125 millions of Brazilians who declare themselves as Catholics, accounting for 74 percent of the country's population.
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