Wojtyla’s Beatification, Giorgio Pagano:«Proud of our Esperantist testimony, just for starters»
Statement by Giorgio Pagano – Radicals/ERA
«We are delighted to announce that we testified to the John Paul the II’s support of the International Language,» Giorgio Pagano, secretary of the Radical “Esperanto” Association, stated. «To raise our banner “Viva the Esperantist pope,” in Esperanto as well as English during the course of the beatification, was, to us, a simple message to say I Was Here. We drew attention to an essential element for millions of people around the world, we drew attention to one of the most important public figures of the 20th century, during a unique historical moment such as this one.”
«I must add that there has always been a good relationship between us Radicals and John paul II, even with his “friend” Marco Pannella, so to speak. Let’s not forget his efforts in fighting world hunger, and against the death penalty, and his actions in favour of a tribunal to go against war criminals. It was therefore our duty to testify his beatification in person. It was moving to have our banner photographed next to a Solidarnosc banner, who’s dictatorship the pope worked so hard against. Esperanto has become our beacon of hope, a way to continue dialoguing with the Church and with Catholic Schools on the long and unsteady road of the International Language.”
Rome, May 1st, 2011
