Pope John Paul sent a telegram of solidarity to Rwandan...

Pope John Paul sent a telegram of solidarity to Rwandan Bishop Augustin Misago, who was on trial in Rwanda on genocide charges. Prosecutors in Rwanda called for the death penalty to be imposed on Misago, who was accused of helping to plan the 1994 genocide in the central African nation in which an estimated 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed. Misago denied all charges against him. "On hearing the painful news of your 13-month long detention and of the death penalty request advanced against you, I feel the duty of renewing once again to you, loved priest of the dear diocese of Gikongoro, all my solidarity and that of the whole Church," the Pope wrote in the telegram.