Flyer

Issue date: 4/25/05 Section: News

As the body of Pope John Paul II was laid to rest last week, millions of mourners around the world remembered a man whose persona and accomplishments touched the hearts and souls of many.

Pope John Paul II (Karol Józef Wojtyla) was born May 18, 1920, in Wadowice, Poland. On October 16, 1978, he was elected successor to Pope John Paul I, becoming the 264th Pope of the Catholic Church. He was the first non-Italian Pope since Adrian VI (1522-23), the first Polish Pope, and the youngest Pope since Pius IX (1846-78). He took the name John Paul II.

On April 2, 2005, Pope John Paul II died. His pontificate spanned 26 years, 5 months, 17 days.

Evangelist Billy Graham was quoted in People magazines tribute to the Pope saying, "Pope John Paul II was unquestionably the most influential voice for morality and peace in the world during the last 100 years." This is how the whole world felt about a man who touched so many men and women's lives. He reached out to everyone around the world and left a legacy that can never be filled.

Since the start of his Pontificate on October 16, 1978, Pope John Paul II has completed 104 pastoral visits outside of Italy and 146 within Italy. According to the Vatican website, (www.vatica.va) Pope John Paul II as Bishop of Rome, has visited 317 of the 333 parishes.

His principal documents include 14 encyclicals, 15 apostolic exhortations, 11 apostolic constitutions and 45 apostolic letters. The Pope has also published five books. His book, Crossing the Threshold of Hope, was the first papal bestseller.

Pope John Paul II also recorded four CDS which included prayers, blessings, poetry, and one in which he says the Rosary.

Supporters and critics, alike referred to Pope John Paul II as one of the Catholic Church's most influential and controversial leaders. While his outspoken views on human rights gained him many supporters, so did his love for children and all mankind. His endless and effortless ways to spread the word of God and the message of the Church made him a well respected figure, whose shoes will be hard, if not impossible, to fill.

Lewis University's family was affected by the death of the Pope, just like the millions around the world. The day he passed away, there was a murmur among the hallways of students reflecting on his life and death. With mass coverage by the media, students spoke out.

Junior, Bill Jasper said, "It is amazing how many people were brought together to celebrate on man's life." Stacey Love, a graduate student, said, "It was neat to see how the media put a spin on the story. They portrayed his death as a celebration, rather than focusing on his sickness and his death." To many people who mourned, they celebrated Pope John Paul II's extraordinary life and cried to realize a man this powerful and respectable, will never grace their lives again.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops summed up Pope John Paul II's life by this, "To Catholics, he is universal shepherd. To world leaders, he can bring moral support or stinging criticism. Non-Christians around the globe have welcomed him as a holy guest. Poor nations consider him their advocate in the halls of power. And for nearly everyone, he's been a voice of conscience on issues like war, abortion and the death penalty."

Pope John Paul II was a man of peace and love. He was a man of prayer and worship. He was a man who was truly loved and who will be forever missed.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools