Pope John Paul was a real colossus - Bishop Darko.

Takoradi, April 6, GNA - The Very Reverend John Martin Darko, Bishop of Sekondi-Takoradi Diocese of the Catholic Church has described the late Pope John Paul II as a "real colossus" whose works and deeds must be a pride to the whole world and the Church in particular. The Pope, he said, dedicated all his life for unity and peaceful co-existence among nations and various religions of the world. Bishop Darko said this when he led hundreds of Catholics in the Diocese to pray for the soul of the Pope at a requiem mass at the Star of the Sea Cathedral at Takoradi Wednesday night.

Mr. Joseph Boahen Aidoo, Western Regional Minister was among dignitaries who attended the four-and-half hour mass at which the life history and some of the achievements of the late Pope were enumerated. Bishop Darko said leaders of the Pope's calibre are "very rare" and so the world, particularly Catholics, must pray for the election of an equally capable successor.

He said the Pope was a living example of what a Christian could achieve for humanity and advised the people, especially world leaders to follow the footsteps of Pope Paul II.

Bishop Darko advised the people to learn to forgive one another when they have been offended and said the late Pontiff sincerely forgave and even prayed for someone who tried to kill him.