Beijing snubs papal funeral, despite Pope's regrets on not visiting China

Hong Kong (ENI). Hong Kong's Roman Catholic leader Bishop Joseph Zen says that Pope John Paul II died deeply regretting "not having had the chance to visit China", and although Beijing expressed condolences on Friday for his death it said it would not attend the pontiff's funeral. "Under current circumstances, China won't send representatives to the Vatican,'' Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said. He noted that the Chinese government had expressed its "strong dissatisfaction'' to the Vatican and to Italy for issuing a visa to Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian.

Zimbabwe president defies EU sanctions to attend Pope's funeral

Harare (ENI). Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has defied a ban on travel to member states of the European Union, and left for Rome to attend the funeral of Pope John Paul II. Mugabe, who was raised a Roman Catholic, has been barred from travelling to EU states since the imposition of sanctions on Zimbabwe after he won a disputed presidential election in 2002. The EU said those sanctions would remain after parliamentary elections it viewed as flawed were held in Zimbabwe on 31 March.

Political and religious leaders converge on Rome for papal funeral

Rome (ENI). Rome is bulging for the funeral of Pope John Paul II with an unprecedented number of religious and political leaders as well as an estimated more than one million faithful cramming the city. US President George W. Bush arrived with former presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush senior in Rome, where they paid respects at the Vatican's St Peter's Basilica to the pontiff who is lying in state.

India honours widow of murdered Australian missionary

New Delhi (ENI). Gladys Staines, the widow of an Australian missionary, Graham Staines, who was murdered in India in 1999, has been honoured with one of India's highest civilian awards. "This is not a recognition for me alone, it is an honour for those who have worked with Graham and those whom we all have served," Gladys Staines told Ecumenical News International after receiving the award, called the Padma Shree, from Indian President Abdul Kalam.