John Paul II loved India: Archbishop Quintana, Apostolic Nuncio to India

New Delhi – The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, loved India from the beginning of his pontificate and continued it even on his deathbed, said Archbishop Pedro López Quintana, the Apostolic Nuncio to India, in his homily during a Mass held to pray for the repose of the soul of the head of the Roman Catholic Church who died on April 2.

Addressing some 4,000 Catholics in New Delhi, Archbishop Quintana called the deceased pontiff “Indian peoples' Pope,” explaining the Pope's special relation with India.

The nuncio said that Pope John Paul was the "only Pope" who visited India twice and traveled to several towns of India. In 1986 he visited 14 places, but the 1999 visit was confined only to New Delhi.

During those visits he visited the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, father of the Indian nation and prayed there, “kneeling down on the ground,” he said.

In one occasion, “he was so much lost in prayer” that he had to be reminded of his schedule, Archbishop Quintana reminisced.

Pope John Paul had a deep respect for India and Indian people and their religions. He remembered the places he visited and asked about their people whenever Indians called on him.

His love for India was also shown in his deathbed when three new bishops were appointed for India, Archbishop Quintana said. Before his death, the Pope had appointed new bishops for three dioceses in Tamil Nadu, Madras–Mylapore, Tuticorin and Sivagangai.

Cardinal Telesphore Toppo of Ranchi led the Mass assisted by Archbishops Quintana and Vincent Concessao of Delhi and Auxiliary Bishop Anil Couto of Delhi.