Thank you for the recent extensive coverage of the visit of Pope Francis to your land. It gives us all hope as God’s family that we can live in tolerance and mutual respect; while celebrating difference. Last August, I celebrated Mass in Phoenix Park, Dublin with the Holy Father. I wish your nation many blessings as a result of this visit and the hospitable welcome you extended.
Father Patrick Mulcahy, St Senan’s Parish, Ireland
The landmarks at Pisa are worth remembering
I write in reference to your article My kind of place: Pisa, Italy (13 March). Rudolph Abraham's travel piece was a really good read. Landmarks across the world are all important in their own ways, but few are likely to be remembered forever. Pisa, however, is certainly a place to be remembered.
Incidentally, my youngest daughter is currently on a tour to Rome and a few other cities and towns in Italy. She landed this week on a flight from the US, where she lives.I sincerely hope she will be visiting the famous leaning tower of Pisa.
Personally, I have long been fascinated by Italy, not least because I worked for years for a pharmaceutical company that collaborated with an Italian firm. It truly is a wonderful country. This excellent piece did it justice.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru
Leaders must keep their fingers on the popular pulse
I write in reference to your article Algeria's Abdelaziz Bouteflika will not run for fifth term, says presidency (March 11). Leaders must keep their fingers on the pulse of the people, and make genuine attempts to understand their concerns and motivations. I often wonder why people cling to power, knowing very well that it will not last forever.
Why not instead do something worthwhile that will help the country and its people in the lng term, instead of ossifying in power.
Name withheld by request
Stranded ship off UAE coast crew must be saved soon
I write to you in reference to Nick Webster's article Ship crew stranded off UAE coast in legal dispute lose hope for return (March 12). This deeply upsets me. These seafarers have been stranded at sea for a whole month, and they are losing hope to return shortly.
Surely, the crew’s predicament is not their own fault, they should not be the ones to suffer the consequences of their company’s unpaid fuel bill.
Bettina Mundt, Abu Dhabi
