7-June-2004 -- Catholic World News Brief

 

POPE, VATICAN MOURN REAGAN

Bern, Jun. 07 (CWNews.com) - Joaquin Navarro-Valls, the director of the Vatican press office, told reporters on June 5 that Pope John Paul had learned "with sorrow" about the death of former US President Ronald Reagan.

A statement released by the Vatican after President's death saluted "the contributions of President Reagan, who influenced the lives of millions of people, especially in Europe, but also in his own country." Navarro-Valls added that the Pope was praying for the deceased American-- with whom he had reportedly enjoyed a particularly warm personal rapport. The papal spokesman also reminded reporters that during his exchange of greetings with current US President George W. Bush the previous day, the Holy Father had sent his regards to Mrs. Reagan, recognizing that the former President was gravely ill.

Vatican officials, who were accompanying the Pope on a weekend trip to Switzerland when the news of the President's death arrived, pointed out that it was during the Reagan Administration that the US first established full diplomatic relations with the Holy See. They also pointed to the late President's enormous influence on recent European history, and especially the end of the Cold War. Vatican officials pointed to Reagan's characterization of the Soviet Union as an "evil empire," and his memorable challenge to Russian leader Mikhail Gorbachev, issued in Berlin, to "tear down this wall." Navarro-Valls announced that the Holy See, as well as the US bishops' conference, would send a representative to the state funeral for Reagan in Washington.