MARGAO
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao has appealed to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to put in all possible efforts to ensure that Goa is included in the itinerary of His Holiness Pope Francis during his proposed visit to India in 2024.
Reacting to the announcement of visiting India in 2024 by Pope Francis on his Papal Flight from Sudan to Rome, the Leader of Opposition said the last Papal visit to Goa of Pope John Paul-II in February 1986 is now only a distant, but nostalgic memory for many Catholics and others in the State.
“The charismatic Pope had celebrated a public mass at the Campal Ground in Panaji. He had also stayed at the Bishop’s House during his visit to Goa, reminded Yuri Alemao.
He added: “I was born in 1984 and could watch Pope John Paul greeting Goans in Konkani only on archived videos. Pope Francis visiting Goa will give an opportunity to Next Generation youth like me to get his blessings,” Yuri said.
The Opposition leader has appealed to all the elected representatives from panchayats, Zilla Panchayats, municipalities and MLAs as well as artists, sportspersons, educationists, tourism stakeholders, social activists and Goans to welcome the announcement of Pope Francis and pray for his visit to Goa.
He also appealed to the government to start preparations for the historic visit from now onwards, saying “Let work begin today”.
