Pope John Paul II died yesterday (Saturday, April 02, 2005). The pope’s health began deteriorating Thursday after he suffered a urinary tract infection. By Friday, the Vatican said his heart and kidneys were failing. “Our beloved Holy Father John Paul has returned to the house of the Father,” said Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, announcing the death of the 84-year-old pontiff to a huge crowd that had gathered under the pontiff’s windows to pray for a miraculous recovery that never came.
The Vatican said the pope, who reigned over the world’s 1.1 billion Catholics for more than 26 years, died in his apartments at 9:37 p.m local time (2:37 EST), surrounded by his closest aides.
The pope was one of the most holy and respected religious leaders in the world today. Though many Catholics did not agree with all of his views on topics such as birth control, divorce, and women in the priesthood, he was well loved and honored by all Catholics.
“We all feel like orphans tonight but our faith teaches us that those who believe in the Lord live in him,” Archbishop Renato Boccardo told a crowd estimated at 60,000 gathered in St Peter's Square.
“My father died last year. For me, it feels the same,” said Elisabetta Pomacalca, a 25-year-old Peruvian who lives in Rome.
The pope was a simple man, who unified the church by his teachings. He single-handedly helped undermine Communism in Europe while always upholding traditional Church orthodoxy. He led a life full of trials, growing up during the times of the holocaust and living under communist rule in his native Poland, but through everything he never lost faith or courage. This was part of what made his wonderful connection to the Lord as strong as it is today.
The pope also survived a 1981 assassination attempt, when a Turkish gunman shot him in the abdomen. Not only did he make a full recovery, but upon hearing of the assassin’s capture, the pope went to see him in prison. What was said between the two of them during the time the pope was there I don’t know. But I do know this, pope John Paul not only forgave this man, but saved his soul too.
Now I know that not everybody who reads this will be a Catholic. But I would like to say this. This man was an inspiration to all. Please offer him your prayers, and as you go throughout your day today think of this: This man dedicated his whole life to the church, the Lord, and the people who needed the Lord most. How much of your time will be spent doing things besides that? And how much of your life do you think the pope, or God for that matter, would be proud of?
So please offer your prayers for the pope and the church today. And please remember not to take for granted the religious people who influence your life because God wont forget the people you influence with yours.
God Bless,
<3 Jen
pope john paul ii
