HUNDREDS of millions of Roman Catholic people will feel saddened at the death of Pope John Paul II as will very many millions of all different creeds and religions throughout the whole wide world, especially his great concern for the poor, those that felt totally forgotten and deserted, for Pope John Paul II brought a light of hope to so many dark corners of this world.

Having had the experience of being invited to be Mayor of Leominster on three separate occasions I knew and believed that I represented the views and concerns of every single citizen of our town. I wrote a letter to all eight of our 'Houses of Religion' inviting me in my official capacity as Mayor to one of their Sunday services. All responded in the affirmative.

Receiving an acceptance from the Roman Catholic Church in the Bargates to attend a Mass in my official duties as Mayor, and the Mayoress to accompany me wearing our regalia, we received a marvellous reception from those in that over-filled church. This engagement would surely have made me the first Mayor of Leominster to be invited into the Roman Catholic Church of Leominster and to accept.

Our Priory Church and the local Roman Catholic Church of many years standing have together been entwined in a strong bond of friendship and tolerance.

Among them I have many friends, they like myself have lost someone who seemed to be a moving light to whatever part of this world was living in darkness.

For me the great Pope John Paul II was once a priest who was to be fashioned as a mediator to provide a lighted route to the land of eternal glory for all to follow.

ALEC HAINES, Caswall Cottages, Leominster.