AFRICA/MADAGASCAR - “A wonderful Pope” says Cardinal Armand Razafindratandra from Madagascar

Antananarivo (Fides Service)- “A wonderful Pope who will remain forever in the hearts of the people of Madagascar who remember with affection the visit Pope John Paul II made to Madagascar in 1989. The Malagasy are particularly grateful to the Pope for beatifying Victoria Rasoamanarivo, the first Malagasy woman to be raised to the honour of the altars” said Cardinal Armand Gaétan Razafindratandra, Archbishop of Antananarivo in Madagascar, referring to the death of Pope John Paul II.
Victoria Rasoamanarivo, a widow (1848-1894) was beatified by Pope John Paul II on 29 April 1989 in Antananarivo. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 3/4/2005 righe parole)