Book of condolences: The Taoiseach was among the early arrivals at the Apostolic Nunciature in Dublin yesterday when a book of condolences on the death of Pope John Paul II was opened. Mr Ahern signed on behalf of the Government, expressing "our deepest sympathy" on the pontiff's passing.
A steady stream of diplomats mingled with members of the public to pay their respects.
"For a saint and a gentleman," was the tribute of one admirer. "For a great Pope and a great human soul," wrote another.
Signing on behalf of the National Forum on Europe, which he chairs, Senator Maurice Hayes paid tribute to "one of the great Europeans of this or any other century, a man of God who stood like a lighthouse, a moral beacon to the world in troubled times, a stout defender of human rights, and a friend of the poor, the oppressed and the dispossessed".
Ambassadors or consuls left messages in their own languages, with the countries represented including Argentina, Cuba, Chile, Finland, Great Britain, Hungary, and the Netherlands.
Visitors were greeted by the papal nuncio, Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto, with whom some shared reminiscences of the Pope's Irish visit in 1979.
Archbishop Lazzarotto in turn recalled his meetings with the Pope, who had very "vivid" memories of Ireland.
"He always talked of three places: Clonmacnoise, because he was very grateful to the Irish monks who brought the faith to Europe, and to Poland; Galway, because of the young people; and Drogheda, because the appeal for peace was very important to him."
The book of condolences will be open today and tomorrow between 10am and 3pm.
