The silence and meditation showed by the thousands of people on St Peter?s Square in Rome after the announcement of Pope John Paul II?s death corresponds to the simplicity the Pope had always shown during his 26 years of pontificate.

No dramatic scenes except from the applause by the crowd when Archbishop Leonardo Sandri gave the news. The suffering and sadness of the people could only be seen on their faces. This might also be explained by the fact that his death has finally put an end to a long and painful agony.

Images of a simple man who travelled all over the world and always fought with conviction against war and what he considered as non-human principles seem engraved in memories. CNN reports, ?Pope John Paul II was remembered on Saturday as a ?champion of human freedom?, a ?tireless advocate of peace? and a man with a ?wonderful sense of humour? who was easy to talk to.? Some people may have disagreed with him on certain decisions but he had at least the merit to believe in his opinions and stand for the principles he defended while never refusing dialogue.

A big event for Rodrigues

In Mauritius, which he visited in 1989, all the people who met him have kept an undying memory not only Catholic priests and believers but also all those who had a contact with him. ?I admired his great conviviality towards the population of Mauritius and Rodrigues when he paid us a visit. But his courage to take firm decisions despite the controversies they could cause, is definitely the main characteristic we have to keep in mind,? says Amédée Nagapen, prelate of the Diocese of Port-Louis.

Pope John Paul II also marked all minds with his will to always go towards others. His capacity to apologise on behalf of Church for its silence during the Nazi period as well as for the Inquisition are all proofs of his open-mindedness. Likewise, his several trips to foreign countries to meet both Catholics and non-Catholics show that he wanted to go towards people.

The cardinal Jean Margéot won?t stop saying how important it was for Rodrigues inhabitants that John Paul II took the time to pay them a visit. This must be one of the most important events Rodrigues has experienced so far.

The present President of the Republic, Sir Anerood Jugnauth, who was the head of government at the time, ?keeps an excellent memory of the meetings I had with the Pope. In Rome, on 28th June 1988, when Mgr Jean Margéot was made cardinal and in October 1989 when he came to Mauritius and Rodrigues. Every Mauritian should have a special thought for this pope who gave special attention to Mauritius especially with the beatification of Father Laval.?

In a word, Pope John Paul II seems to have marked the history of the Catholic Church and the whole world ? by contributing to the fall of communist regimes. He was also an excellent speaker, who knew how to make his ideas gain ground.

According to the several accounts that are made of him, Mauritians have been marked and touched by his visit. As a testimony, the Mauritian flag is at half-mast. The bishop of Port-Louis, Mgr Maurice Piat, summarises the ?relation? of the Pope with the people in one short sentence: ?The great movement of sympathy coming from all countries Pope John Paul II visited is a sign that they all felt they were loved by him.?

The 127 cardinals will soon meet to elect his successor but there is one certainty: he will have a lot on his plate to have the same popularity as John Paul II.