S.Atlantic : Tears Shed as South Atlantic Islands Learn of Pope's Death
Submitted by SARTMA.com (Juanita Brock) 03.04.2005 (Article Archived on 17.04.2005)

Some Catholics were on their way to Saturday evening Mass when the Pope's death was announced.

Photo (c) St. Mary's Church The late Monsignor Spraggon visited the Pope in Rome shortly after he was enthroned.

TEARS SHED AS SOUTH ATLANTIC ISLANDS LEARN OF POPE’S DEATH

By J. Brock (FINN)

The Late Monsignor Spraggon and the late Pope John Paul ll

When Pope John Paul II died at 1630 LMT on Saturday, 02 April 2005, many Catholics were already glued to their TV sets in Ascension, St. Helena, Tristan da Cunha and in the Falklands.  Some were on their ways to Mass, traditionally held at 1700 on Saturday evening.  Though Catholics were prepared, the announcement came as a shock and tears flowed freely for the Pope that had headed the Church for 26 years.

At the moment, plans for appropriate memorial Masses and services on all the Islands are still in the planning stages.  It is expected that the Pope’s funeral will be on Friday.  More later.