05/02/2011 | 11:33 PM
In spite of the celebration in the Vatican today after the beatification of Pope John Paul II, the Vatican released a statement on the death of the once illusive Osama bin Laden.
In GMA News' "24 Oras," Jessica Soho read the statement issued by Vatican Press Chief Father Federico Lombardi.
While the Holy See pointed out the role Bin Laden had played in the "[promotion of] division and hatred between people," they also pointed out that "a Christian never rejoices" in the death of a man. "Faced with the death of a man, a Christian never rejoices but reflects on the serious responsibility of each and every one of us before God and before man, and hopes and commits himself so that no event be an opportunity for further growth of hatred, but for peace," the statement read. Security in the Vatican was tightened after the announcement of Bin Laden's death, said Soho. Today, barricades and x-ray machines were set up inside the walled city.
Pope John Paul II on Sunday was beatified — a step away from being proclaimed a saint.
He was well loved by Filipinos, having visited the country twice in his papacy — first in 1981 and in 1995 for the X World Youth Day.
Malacañang released a statement Monday on the late Pope’s beatification. The palace hoped that Blessed Pope John Paul II's life and virtues "will continue to serve as an inspiration to Catholics and non-Catholics alike."
“Because of the late Pope’s strong stand for freedom for oppressed people everywhere, the government of the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos went through the motions of formally revoking martial law. During that historic visit, John Paul II spoke up for Social Justice and reminded the powerful that no one is exempt from personal responsibility," presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.
The late Pope was deeply interested in ecumenism; in the frank but mutually respective dialogues between people of different faiths and even non-faith; in Social Justice; he was a voice for the oppressed and downtrodden, and of the relevance of spiritual values in an increasingly complex world," he added.
Filipino Cardinals Guadencio Rosales, Archbishop of Manila, and Ricardo Vidal, Archbishop-emeritus of Cebu, were also present during the beatification.