Hindus, Muslims welcome papal envoy at Ranchi

(February 08, 2011) In eastern India’s Jharkhand State, people from various religions welcomed papal envoy Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor when he visited Ranchi on February 4. The cardinal visited the capital of the tribal-dominated state to commemorate the visit of Pope John Paul II 25 years ago.
Thousands of people lined up the 7-kilometer route from the Ranchi airport to the residence of the local archbishop. “I am overwhelmed by the rousing welcome,” the papal envoy said. D. N. Bharti, a Hindu who waited for the papal envoy, said “ In Ranchi people of all religions cooperate with each other and respect each other. That’s why Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and others have joined our Christian brethren to welcome the pope’s delegate.”