Your Eminence,
I learnt with deepest sorrow the demise of Pope John Paul II last
Saturday evening and as the Catholic Community the world over commences
nine days of official mourning for probably the most charismatic
figure in papal history, I wish to extend to Your Eminence, to the
College of Cardinals and to Christendom at large my heartfelt condolence
and those of the Government and people of The Gambia.
The legacy that the late Pope John Paul will be leaving is especially
one of accessibility of the papacy to the World. Indeed he was a
great and compassionate man who gave reason for hope, a populist
and an indefatigable apostle of peace who through the 104 journeys
he undertook during his tenure gave hope to billions of souls regardless
of their confessions, race, creed or colour.
For, the late Pope was the very epitomy of human dignity, a man
who strongly advocated dialogue and reconciliation of faiths and
religions as amply exemplified by his visits to Jerusalem and Palestine
and the establishment of diplomatic ties between the Vatican and
Israel. Indeed he will be remembered amongst other initiatives for
having been the first pontiff to convene a conference on Peace and
one whose anti-war stance - the first Gulf War and the invasion
of Iraq come to mind. He will be missed for his "urbi et orbi"
blessings brought to our leaving rooms for a quarter century and
for being the Head of State who was the moral authority of the world.
In these moments of grief, Your Eminence, for Christendom and for
the rest of the world, I pray that the Lord grants him safe niche
in His divine kingdom.
Please accept, Your Eminence, the assurances of my highest consideration.
(Sgd) Yahya A.J.J Jammeh
Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh
President of the Republic of the Gambia