Daily Edition: San José, Costa Rica, April 07, 2005
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President Viewed Pope,
Expressed Costa Ricans' Pain
In the five minutes President Abel Pacheco stood beside Pope John Paul II's body in the Vatican yesterday, he said he felt as if his entire spiritual life coalesced within him all of a sudden.
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Special Mass in Memory
Of Pope This Morning
Thousands of Costa Ricans will swarm downtown San José this morning to attend a special mass for the passing of Pope John Paul II. The mass begins at 10 a .m. in the Metropolitan Cathedral.
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Costa Rica Expresses
Condolences for Death of Prince
Minister of Foreign Relations Roberto Tovar yesterday expressed his condolences for the death of Prince Rainier III of Monaco.
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Costa Rican Coffee
To be Auctioned Online
International taste judges chose 14 types of quality coffee to participate in the 2005 Golden Harvest public auction, which will be held via Internet May 19, according to the Costa Rican Coffee Institute (ICAFE).
(Click for more)
April 07
Central American Singing Recital
Show is at the Amubis Arts Festival stage on the south side of the soccer field in San Isidro de El Guarco, Cartago.
Golf Weekend
The 9th Annual AmCham Golf Tournament will begin tomorrow at Parque del Sol, Santa Ana . Info: 220-2200.
Going Around CR
The Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) invites people on the following trips: Corcovado National Park , April 9-13; and the Coco Island Cruise, April 23-30. Both include transportation, lodging, meals and guide. Info: 524-0625, 377-6169.
Edited By Robert Goodier
Tico Times Staff
rgoodier@ticotimes.net
President Viewed Pope,
Expressed Costa Ricans' Pain
In the five minutes President Abel Pacheco stood beside Pope John Paul II's body in the Vatican yesterday, he said he felt as if his entire spiritual life coalesced within him all of a sudden.
“I wanted badly to cry, and I don't cry easily, but I felt profoundly moved,” he said in a statement.
Yesterday, at 8 a .m. Costa Rican time, Pacheco and the first lady, Leila Rodríguez, entered the back door of St. Peter's Basilica and prayed four meters from the Pope's body. They prayed in unison the Lord's Prayer and Ave María.
In his final encounter with the Pope, the third after two meetings with him when he was alive, Pacheco asked him not to forget the people of this world, to remember everyone and especially Costa Ricans who loved him so much, he said.
He thanked the Pope for being a bright point in the world throughout his existence, for what he did to achieve peace and love among people, for his influence on the younger generations and for having united people of all creeds and colors.
“I didn't come here as Abel Pacheco, I came as President of Costa Ricans to express the pain we feel for the parting of the saintly father.
“I thank the Lord for the opportunity I had to say goodbye to this magnificent man.”
Pacheco described the scene in the church as an imposing atmosphere in which the presence of God is felt.
Members of the Swiss Guard and Vatican officials watch over the Pope's body.
“His face was printed with the expression that he had in a life of spiritual peace, energy, and love. He remains asleep with a gesture of peace and charity,” Pacheco said.
He and his wife, Rodríguez, sat on benches to the right of the Pope's body while the procession of mourners passed.
“I know that there, near the Lord, where he (the Pope) is now, he will ask a lot for humanity, that we come to understand ourselves better,” Pacheco said. He will take part in the Pope's funeral tomorrow.
Special Mass in Memory
Of Pope This Morning
Thousands of Costa Ricans will swarm downtown San José this morning to attend a special mass for the passing of Pope John Paul II. The mass begins at 10 a .m. in the Metropolitan Cathedral.
Ave. 4, south of the cathedral, Calle Central, in front of the cathedral, and two lanes of the Ave. 2, north of the cathedral, will be closed at 8 a .m.
Police will cordon off Central Park for the cathedral's overflow and screens will project the mass.
Police and Red Cross officials will be on site to provide services.
Costa Rica Expresses
Condolences for Death of Prince
Minister of Foreign Relations Roberto Tovar yesterday expressed his condolences for the death of Prince Rainier III of Monaco.
In an official statement, Tovar called it “painful news” and recognized the close relationship Costa Rica has with Monaco . The foreign minister remembered the 2003 visit of 47-year-old Prince Albert , who has now taken over his father's duties.
During that visit, various cooperation accords were signed between the two countries. In July of last year, Monaco held a fundraising concert for Costa Rica 's Children's Hospital and the local fight against cancer in children.
Prince Rainier, 81, had ruled the Mediterranean principality, which is home to 32,000 people and is smaller than New York 's Central Park , since 1949. He was Europe 's longest reigning monarch.
He was known for his marriage to famed Hollywood actress Grace Kelly, who died in a car accident in 1982.
Costa Rican Coffee
To be Auctioned Online
International taste judges chose 14 types of quality coffee to participate in the 2005 Golden Harvest public auction, which will be held via Internet May 19, according to the Costa Rican Coffee Institute (ICAFE).
A total 20 tasters from Japan , England , the United States , France , Israel , Singapore and Switzerland selected the types of coffee March 31 from among 67 samples, ICAFE said in a press release.
The 2005 Golden Harvest seeks to create a point of reference apart from the prices established in the New York market.
“The price in New York has been the basis of commercial coffee for many years. We want to have a second point of reference that would help to place our product according to its quality to achieve differentiated prices,” explained Juan Moya, director of Icafé.
--EFE
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