Press links Pope to regional concerns

Newspapers in many parts of the world reflect on Pope John Paul II's legacy and his succession, with many viewing the topic through the prism of their own regional preoccupations.

The Middle East sees contrasting views on Christian-Muslim relations and Israeli concern about anti-Semitism, while in Africa concern for the future is coupled with gratitude for the perceived domino effect of the late Pope's stand against communism.

Russian commentators consider the strained relations between the Catholic and Orthodox churches; and the themes of religious dialogue and democracy strike a chord in East Asia.

How much we need to have amongst us such great men as the deceased Pope and the revered al-Sistani! Only men as wise, patient and compassionate as these can rein in our rashness, impetuousness and blindness to hard facts.

Iraq's al-Dustur

---

The late Pope John Paul II departed from convention by not confining himself to his religious mandate. He instead decided to become an influential political player in world events. This reminds us of the old days of the Church when it had power, before the victory of the secularist revolution.

London-based al-Quds al-Arabi

---

Pope John Paul II was a champion of Arab causes - he rejected the Iraq war and insisted on visiting a Palestinian camp in the West Bank while most world leaders were shunning such visits to appease Israel. The numerous achievements of the late Pope John Paul II over the past 26 years make the tasks facing the next Pope very difficult.

Egypt's al-Akhbar

---

During Pope John Paul II's period, the Christian West showed its sinister face by attacking Islamic countries, resorting to killing and torture in Afghanistan and Iraq and supporting the criminal Zionist occupiers. Alas, the Pope was unwilling or unable to browbeat his followers and prevent them committing crimes against humanity.

Iran's Jomhuri-ye Eslami

---

John Paul II's biography - he was born not far from Auschwitz, had many Jewish friends and witnessed the horrors of the Holocaust - had a deep influence on his views and behaviour. The troubling question is whether his acts were merely the personal acts of an exceptional man, or whether his path has been internalised as the Church's official stance. Even in his native Poland, a nationalist, anti-Semitic faction is flourishing in the Church. If this is how things stand in his own homeland, there is reason to fear that his views have not yet penetrated the wider Catholic world.

Israel's Haaretz

---

We in Africa also wish that a cardinal from this continent assume the papacy, and like John Paul II have compassion for those suffering due to poverty and the fast spreading HIV/Aids. But will the cardinals find someone who can meet these challenges?

Tanzania's Guardian

---

The Pope eventually came to play a great role in sparking the calamitous events that freed Eastern Europe from the grip of the Soviet empire. The domino effect was felt in Africa and the rest of the world. Kenya, too, benefited from the democratic revolution, and the air of freedom we now breathe is partly one of John Paul's legacies.

Kenya's Nation

---

If [Cardinal Joseph] Ratzinger becomes pontiff, this will be bad for us. The former head of the Vatican's propaganda ministry takes a harder line towards Russia than even John Paul II. [Cardinal Dionigi] Tettamanzi would suit us best. He will definitely try - not immediately, of course - to break the deadlock in the dialogue with the Russian Orthodox Church.

Russia's Komsomolskaya Pravda

---

The only dream that John Paul II never fulfilled was his wish to visit Russia. Old grievances and different interpretations by the Catholic and Russian Orthodox churches of the concept of "proselytism" prevented this. These grievances did not stop the Catholics giving - or the Orthodox accepting - substantial material assistance, which the Russian Orthodox Church so needed and still needs after 70 years of Soviet state-sponsored atheism.

Russia's Izvestiya

---

Under John Paul II, the Vatican remained a staunch supporter of democratic Taiwan, and this has touched the hearts of this nation's 23 million people. The people of Taiwan hope that the next Pope will uphold his predecessor's reputation and continue to promote democratic values around the world.

Taiwan's Taipei Times

---

The new Pope and his cardinals need to be able to see the world and global humanitarian issues in a more subjective way through accurate analysis and interpretation. Pope John Paul II's efforts to improve understanding and religious dialogue must be followed up.

Malaysia's Utusan Malaysia

---

Why do so many people respect this figure? He struggled throughout his life for peace for the human race, not only for Catholics. His humanitarian messages ought to be put into practice. We also hope other religions will produce charismatic leaders who will defend the truth.

Indonesia's Pikiran Rakyat

BBC Monitoring selects and translates news from radio, television, press, news agencies and the internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages. It is based in Caversham, UK, and has several bureaus abroad.