Pope Voices Concern Over China

Traveling among some of the world’s richest and most peaceful countries, Pope John Paul II voiced compassion for Asian trauma Sunday, saying he hopes that the lessons of tragedy in Beijing will help trigger beneficial change in China.

“The reported death of so many young people in China evokes in me deep sentiments of compassion and concern,” the Pope said. “As Christians, we hope that these deaths may serve to bring new life to that great and beloved country.”

The remarks came as the Pope flew from wind-swept Iceland to almost balmy Finland, the third of five nations on his current pilgrimage to Scandinavia.

John Paul learned of the violence in China on Sunday morning in Reykjavik, where he celebrated an outdoor Mass for several thousand worshipers on the grounds of the Roman Catholic Cathedral in the Icelandic capital.