Nelson Mandela Day marks leader's 94th birthday

(Vatican Radio) South Africans are marking "Nelson Mandela Day" on July 18th, the 94th birthday of the nation's former President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. But what are the special qualities that make Mandela one of the world's most respected statesmen? And on a more anecdotal note, why did President Mandela have trouble one Christmas obtaining some chocolate for his grandchildren? Catholic priest Father Sean O'Leary is the Director of the Denis Hurley Peace Institute in South Africa and has met Nelson Mandela many times. He's interviewed by Vatican Radio's Susy Hodges :

Listen to the extended interview with Father O'Leary:

Father O'Leary says one of the reasons why Mandela is so revered as a statesman is his amazing lack of bitterness despite his harsh treatment during his 27 years behind bars: "His first message" (on his release) was "one of reconciliation and not revenge, one of unity and not division." and O'Leary says "people immediately warmed to his person..."

Father O'Leary also talks about "a very funny and very human story" told to him by Mandela himself that talks about how as President he realised on Christmas Eve in 1994 he had nothing to give his grandchildren and decided to try to buy some chocolate. He rang "a chocolate factory" and after introducing himself as President Mandela said he wanted to talk about chocolate and the lady who answered the call accused him of mocking the president and "put the phone down on him."

Father O'Leary said Mandela's love of children is well documented and the Foundation he set up provides valuable help to needy children, especially Aids orphans. He said the former president once told a group of them at a meeting that "the greatest thing he missed in jail was the sight and sound and laughter of children."