AAS 70 [1978] - El Vaticano

E SVAZILANDIA :
Maeroris testimonia scriptis data 895
I have a sad duty in command from His Majesty King Sobhuza II
to express our deepest sympathy and condolences on the most untimely
and sudden demise of His Holiness Pope John Paul I. We had placed
great hopes and expectations on His Holiness' enviable talents of leader­
ship on the course of peace in the family of nations. We wish you
comfort at this hour of sadness.
E SYRIA :
Dr. Zonke A. Khumalo
Acting Prime Minister
With deep sorrow we reeeived the sad news of the passing of His
Holiness Pope John Paul I after a sudden heart attack last night.
The tragic character of the loss of His Holiness is increasedby the fact
that he was in the prime of his papacy and had not the chance to
pursue the efforts to which he dedicated himself in the service of the
Church and the good of humanity. Please accept the sincere condolen­
ces which I express on behalf of the Syrian Arab people and in my
own name.
E TANZANIA :
Hafez Al-Assad
President o f the Syrian Arab Republic
We are shocked and greatly saddened by the sudden and unexpected
death of His Holiness Pope John Paul. Catholics throughout our trou-
bled world were looking forward with confidence and hope to leadership
from the man so recently elected to his high onice in accordance with
the beliefs and traditions of the Holy Roman Catholic Church. On
behalf of all the people of the United Republic of Tanzania and on my
own behalf I express our human grief with our acknowledgement of
God's love for all men and our knowledge that His Holiness Pope
John Paul died accepting the promise of Jesus "He that heareth my
word, and believeth on him that sent me hath everlasting life".
Julius Nyerere
President