SHILLONG: As Pope Francis read the official proclamation declaring former Popes John Paul II and John XXIII as saints, the Pine City rejoiced while recalling the fond memories of the former’s visit to Shillong on February 4, 1986 as part of his India tour.
During his three-hour visit to Shillong, the Pope presided over the Eucharistic celebration at Golf Course attended by nearly 2 lakh people from all over the Northeast.
The visit was materialized thanks to the initiative of former Chief Minister Late E.K. Mawlong, who had camped in Delhi to convince the Union Home Ministry to clear the visit of the Papal head.
However, owing to security reasons, the Pope’s visit to Shillong was limited to three hours.
In his address at the gathering at Golf Course, Polo, the Pope while referring to Meghalaya as the Abode of Clouds, had explained the message of Gospel to the North East India.
“You are filled with a deep longing to share in God’s life here on earth. You have a profound aspiration for the noblest ideals of human dignity, for respect for your human rights, and for development and
peace. Yet you have your share of the universal problems and frustrations that the world faces today; illiteracy, rural poverty, problems arising from rapid urbanization, the tension between the consciousness of your own cultural identity and the many dehumanizing forces at work in society,” the Pope had told the gathering during his homily.
The Pope, while recalling the sacrifice made by the missionaries in the North East said, “All of you, brothers and sisters, must become heralds of God’s saving presence throughout the hills and plains of North-East India”.
He also had a message for the youth: “I appeal especially to the young: be filled with the spirit of the Gospel. Learn to love and appreciate your own culture, your language, your past history.”
