Shrine of Pope John Paul II to be opened tomorrow

The Shrine of Pope John Paul II will be inaugurated on November 27 by Rev. Salvatore Pennachio, the Papal Nuncio, to India at Bajpe. Speaking to presspersons here on Tuesday, Mangaluru Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza said the shrine has been built with the generous support from devotees of the diocese at a cost of about Rs. 1.5 crore.

The shrine has an attractive 6 ft tall statue of Pope John Paul II, given by Rev. Pennachio.

The inauguration would be held at 4.30 p.m.

Rev. D’Souza said the shrine has been built by the parishioners of Bajpe Church under the leadership of parish priest Fr. Leo Lobo. Pope John Paul II, the then Pope, had visited Bajpe on February 6, 1986 during his 10-day visit to India.

The Bishop said the late Pope was canonised as Saint Pope John Paul II in April this year.

More than five lakh people cutting across religion had gathered to watch and hear the Pope during his Mangaluru visit, Rev. D’Souza said.