St. Peter's Square

St. Peter's Square
Originally uploaded by Krista 1366.

Life goes on in Italy.....

Even with the death of Il Papa, the drama continues to entertain us....

Italians Vote in Regional Elections

By AIDAN LEWIS
Associated Press Writer

April 3, 2005, 10:54 PM EDT

ROME -- Italians voted Sunday in regional elections seen as a key test for Premier Silvio Berlusconi's ruling coalition but overshadowed by the death of Pope John Paul II.

More than 41 million people were eligible to vote in the election of the governors and councils in 13 of Italy's 20 regions. The ballot is considered an indicator of the center-right government's strength ahead of general elections due next year.

Voting started Sunday and was to continue on Monday. Going into the election, Berlusconi's ruling coalition controlled eight of the regions that were up for grabs. The center-left opposition held power in the remaining five regions.

In recent days, as the 84-year-old pontiff's health took a turn for the worse, the campaign was toned down and most politicians canceled their rallies and joined the chorus of mourning after John Paul died on Saturday.

On Sunday morning, leaders from both sides, including Berlusconi, joined prelates to pray in front of the pope's body lying in state at the Vatican -- an event that was shown live on Italian television.

There were calls for the election to be postponed, but Interior Minister Giuseppe Pisanu refused to have the vote delayed. "The pain for the Holy Father cannot distract us from our duties as citizens," Pisanu said.

As polls closed Sunday evening, the ministry said that average voter turnout was 55.2 percent.

Politicians have exchanged sharp jabs during the campaign, with leaders from both coalitions saying they see the election as a referendum on government policies that include support for the war in Iraq, tax cuts and controversial constitutional reforms.

Last month, the campaign was further inflamed when Alessandra Mussolini, granddaughter of Italy's fascist dictator, was accused of ballot fraud.

Mussolini, leader of the small extreme-right party Social Alternative, was initially barred from the ballot for allegedly falsifying hundreds of voter signatures on the list parties needed to present to run in Lazio, the region that includes Rome.

Although a top administrative court later reinstated Mussolini on the ballot, the campaign was marred by accusations that the conservative coalition had instigated the investigation of Mussolini's party lists for fear she would steal precious votes from the mainstream right-wing party.

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Now a view on the election of the next Pope. I am rooting for an African. John Paul II shined a light on Eastern Europe's darkness helping to bring it out of its long dark winter. Could an African pontiff draw the world's attention to the horrors endured by the faithful on African soil? Force the world to see the consequences of the wars, massacres, enslavement, famine, and AIDs, leading to the misery and death of millions of Africans.....

Cardinal Turkson leaves for Rome
Accra, April 04, GNA - Peter Cardinal Appiah Turkson, the Archbishop of Cape Coast, left Accra for on Sunday for Rome to participate in the funeral of Pope John Paul II and join the College of Cardinals to elect a new pope.

Speaking to journalists before departure at the Kotoka International Airport, Cardinal Turkson asked for the prayer of the nation for God's guidance in the choice of a new Pope.

He paid tribute to the late Pope for his contribution to the spiritual and the material welfare of mankind as well as the growth and recognition of the African Diocese of the Catholic Church.

Cardinal Turkson mentioned in particular the increase in Ghana's dioceses from 10 to 18 as well as his elevation to a cardinal. Asked whether there was a chance of an African being chosen as a pope, Cardinal Turkson answered in the affirmative. " In this selection there is no room for politicking since we will be confined, so there would be no communication with the outside world and we will depend on the Holy Spirit for guidance".

Cardinal Turkson was seen off at the airport by Archbishop George Kochery, Apostolic Nuncio in Ghana and Monsignor Osei Agyemang, Secretary General of the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference.

Source: GNA