A few words from the Pope

“Be not afraid!”
“Open wide the doors to Christ!”
“All human life is created in the image and likeness of God.”
“Follow Christ!”
Add your own recollections of the Pope’s exhortations in the comments.

76 comments

  3. Pope John Paul II has been a great teacher and role model. Let us pray that his voice and heart will continue to speak through each one of us as we commit to carry on his work. “You shall know them by their fruits.”

  4. May our Holy Father the Pope be blessed with the light and grace of Jesus Christ as he ascends on the beginning of his eternal life with God the Father, with serenity and humility abode, I pray In the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit .
    Amen
    We will never see another Pope like John Paul II and are blessed to have been in his lifetime

  5. I just hope that the Youth of this world do not abandon the Pope in his time of need. He has done so much for the youth (especially Youth Day which I hope the Vatican will continue) that I hope even after his death, the youth of today will carry on all of his teachings to them reminding them that they are our hope for the future.

  6. “Have no fear of moving into the unknown. Simply step out fearlessly knowing that I am with you, therefore no harm can befall you; all is very, very well. Do this in complete faith and confidence.”
    -Pope John Paul II
    We have truly been blessed.

  7. I’m afraid I have a very different view of his ‘legacy.’ He was a failure as far as women’s and gay rights are concerned, as well as a woman’s right to choose. It is the 21st Century after all! And it doesn’t look any better down the road; why can’t the Church embrace all people?

  8. Joey, if you are disappointed that the Pope has not changed Catholic moral doctrine, please realize that your own expectations and assumptions were just not realistic. It is not the calling of the Pope, nor within his power, to change Catholic doctrine in a way that would contradict what has gone before.
    Pope John Paul’s teaching on the dignity and rights of women may not conform to your opinions, but it is quite extensive and encouraging, and I hope that you will look into it and find some inspiration in it.
    The Church welcomes all people and invites all to follow Christ. Being a disciple includes respecting and loving the weak (thus no abortion, no killing of the sick) and living in chastity.
    I don’t see how “it is the 21st century” constitutes an argument. Abortion and unchastity are very old sins, and nothing about them has changed to make them less bad.
    Please note, folks:
    I’m really not looking for objections to Pope John Paul today, and as always, we blog authors reserve the right to remove any of the comments people post.

  10. Peace
    “We are hearing a great deal about the Pope dying in peace. And for what reason? Because he has suffered. You will be able to see, and hear, just how badly understood the gospel is amongst evangelicals and others as you listen to the commentary on the Pope. The specifics of the gospel will be buried under the emotionalism of death. The Pope’s salvation will be guaranteed not because his faith is fixed solely upon the finished work of Christ (which, in light of the devotion to Mary, belief in the Mass, purgatory, etc., it clearly is not), but because of his suffering, his “goodness,” a goodness not determined by reference to God’s holiness, of course, but by reference to other men.
    I wonder…how many evangelical leaders will honor God rather than men and say what needs to be said? “Unless the Pope believed the gospel, he, like any other person on the planet, died under the wrath of God, outside of the only way of salvation God has provided in Jesus Christ!” And how many will cave in to the fear of the face of men and do what society demands by compromising the gospel, showing a greater love of the acclaim of men rather than the approval of God? Remember, friends:”
    Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
    13:02:20 – James R. White – Category: Roman Catholicism – Link to this article

  13. “Woo Hoo, John Paul II, he loves you!”
    I did a research paper on the Pope, actually, and so I remember that quote (I think), and though I am not a Catholic or Christian in practice, I have extreme respect and reverence for the man. It’s not only the works he has done while he had the seat as Pope, but his own personal life as well. The way he could have fun with his job, the way he could connect with people across the world, young and old alike. Though I doubt I will ever be a Christian, I think that if I had met Karol, we would’ve had a nice time together. Rest in peace man.

  14. Good Heavens, RW: the Pope emphatically believed and taught, along with the whole Catholic Church, that salvation is a gift of Christ. The role of our Lady, like that of any saint or any believer, comes from her relationship with Christ and her ability to pray to Him for us. The same goes for the value of our works and sufferings: they are only a means of grace because Christ lives in us and performs those works in us.
    Sad to say, many people, Catholic and non-Catholic, seem to shy away from this Christian truth and speak as if our actions, prayers, or sufferings had some merit independent of Christ. Nothing could be further from the mind of Pope John Paul II.
    Thanks for thinking of us during this time when we are mourn the loss of our Church’s chief pastor on earth and accompany him in his passing to eternal life.

  15. The Pope will be greatly missed. He was a true angle of our Lord and savior. Their will never be another like him. Let us now rejoyce his like and carry on the mission he started.

  16. Pope John Paul II was an amazing man. He will truly be missed by the world. Although this changes my whole insight on prayer. If the Pope was the most holiest, why did God make him suffer for so long. I know that everyone has to carry their cross, but why did Pope John Paul II have to carry his for so long? And with billions of people all over the world praying for him, why did God wait until now to take him when he suffered for so long?

  19. Pope John Paul II was an amazing man and will be remembered forever. I wouldn’t be surprised if he eventually is declared a saint.
    *** Thank you Lord for sharing your servant with us…. AMEN ***

  20. “I FORGIVE!”
    He actually went to prison to personally forgive the man who shot him! To bring the assassin God’s message of love and forgiveness. How wonderful is that!!!
    We need all remember…”forgiveness” is not just in the Lord’s Prayer. “Forgiveness” are right there with Jesus’ last words on the cross!

  21. Never in my short life have i ever seen a man so devoted to his religion… Pope John paul was not only a strong and intellegent religious figure, but he was also a man with a very kind nature. His words inspired us all to live in the name of god, and he will surley be missed

  22. Everybody suffers, Amy, including good people and holy people, and our Lord Jesus came through the human way of suffering.
    While we usually pray (and take action) to be spared from suffering, we can experience it while it’s here as a point of unity with Jesus’ own suffering and dying on the Cross. We even believe that Jesus joins our suffering to His and makes it part of His mission for the salvation of the world.

  26. …and so it ends. A great man has left this earth today…but he left us with his example of leading a good life. Rest in peace, John Paul.

  27. he was a father figure to us all…it did not matter who what or where we lived…let us remember him as he was a great religious an spirital but human man whos love was far more great then any one i have ever seen he truly was a peoples pope…he may be gone from this earth but now he sits with GOD an watches us all with that smile i shall never forget…

  29. This pope really had a heart for people. He tried to help in any way he could. He did not believe in this Iraq war or killing children in or out of the womb or capital punishment. He was for life..all the way.. no matter whose life it was.

  32. My wife and I were on our honeymoon in November and we were fortunate enough to receive the papal blessing for “sposi novelli”. The Holy Father was so dramatically changed from the last time I saw him in person at the ’93 world youth day. He looked so frail; his body as bent and his speech slurred, like a man dying. But then I saw his eyes, and they were the sames eyes he always had: bright, alive, piercing. They seemed to cry out “Be Not Afraid!!!!” Requiescat in pace.

  33. Though I am not Catholic, I feel in my heart Pope John Paul II has brought Christ closer to my heart. I know he will be welcomed in Heaven as he was here on earth, with open arms and profound love. My heart aches with his loss, but as one of those who has “found him” I feel truly fortunate to have been Blessed with his presence in my lifetime. My prayers to all those who mourn his loss and my Thanks to God for letting us, the world, have this wonderful man touch our lives. God Bless and keep you all.
    Tami Sledge

  34. I’m not Catholic, but I’m saddened by The Pope’s passing as he was one voice for anyone, for freedom, for those less fortunate of all races and creeds. He was not only the Catholic leader, he was a World Community Leader. His voice, his heart will remain with me always.

  36. Now that Pope John Paul II, is not with us I would like to add by saying may he rest in peace. He is with God now waching over us and letting us know that he will always be in our hearts and prayers and we will always be in his heart. we will remember him as a great leader to all of us and a great man. God bless him and we will miss him always and forever.

  37. Being a Polish American Catholic, I have been so proud to have this wonderful man represent the church for the last 26 years. He was a beutiful man inside and out. He ended Communism and he truly loved ALL people, regardless of their personal religious beliefs, ethnicity or affiliation. He is home with God now. We will ALL miss him.

  39. May he Rest In Peace with our LORD OUR FATHER. He was loved by all and devoted himself 100% to what he believed in. He was the greatest catholic leader and we will all miss him. God Bless Him. May there be peace on earth.

  40. It is a sad day for everyone. If we do not realize what has REALLY taken place this past week with regard to life and death and what GOD IS, we will suffer. We have let man decide when and how to take a life, GOD decided to bring Pope John Paul II home at this exact moment in time for a message. Will we finally see the blessings HE has for all of us?
    The angels are singing! Let them comfort you.

  41. Having been raised Catholic, I know how important position of the Pope is. I no longer follow the Catholic faith, though I am still a Christian. However, while I may not have agreed with the position of the Pope and the Catholic church ( and probably never will)on many issues , that does not make me any less aware of how truly loving, caring, compassionate, worthy, humble, and truly striving to be Christ-like this man has been. The world has lost a glorious soul, a wonderful man. I am grateful to God that he no longer suffers, and has gone to his home at last. Bless you all, Jenna

  44. Yes the Catholic religion has had many faults, with all of the recent sexual incidents, but the pope was a good man. I am so sorry he is gone.

  45. To my Catholic brothers and sisters in Christ, my thoughts and prayers are with you on this sad day. Pope John Paul II wasn’t just the Catholics’ Pope; I believe he served as a leader for all of us who share the Christian faith. He was a wonderful leader who will be missed.
    Your Methodist sister in Christ,
    Paula

  46. The pope may have been a good person, but the religion stands for nothing more than sin itself. The Catholic history is horrible. The stuff they did to people is nightmarish. But I am sorry for the Pope, he seemed to want peace for all.

  47. Why is it such a big deal that The Pope has died? Did you know him personally? Are you really gonna miss him? I think your answers are NO. He is a saint, and so are you. He was not a magical person or someone better than you or me. The only one who can be called great is Jesus. He is the one you can have a personal relationship with and he is one you can cry over for his work on the cross.
    The Pope has been quoted with wonderful words. If he is such an amazing person, then why do his followers not follow his words?
    “Be not afraid.”, “Open wide the doors to Christ.”, “All human life is created in the image and likeness of God.”, and last but not least “Follow Christ.”
    1.Each quote is biblical – read the Bible.
    2.The Pope led a selfless, loving, serving life – think not of yourself then, but serve others and love everyone.
    3. Most importantly – FOLLOW CHRIST!!!!! If you think so highly of the pope, then do what he says!

  50. We will certainly never see the likes of His Holiness again in our lifetime. He brought the light of Christ to us all. Pope John Paul II has gone to his home in heaven. Lets pray for the repose of his soul,and ask for his prayers as well. Totus Tuus !

  52. I was born and raised Roman Catholic and through many years of Catholic school- I grew away from the church due to their stringent views- I am hardly what you would call religious. However, Pope John Paul II has always held a spot in my heart. This man brought people together- made us all realize what it meant to be spiritual as a race, not as a single religion. Tolerance should hold no prejudice- Pope J.P. II taught me that. I will miss him.

  53. ANTI-FEMINIST…HOMOPHOBIC…STUCK IN THE 15th CENTURY…UNYIELDING IN HIS POWER…
    The Lord must have had enough of this backward, prejuditial Pope and that is why he called before his 4 score and 7 years. This was no Saint!
    Perhaps now, the Catholic Church will come into the 21st century. Maybe then less people will defect from the the church and more people will join the shrinking priesthood.

  54. Silly smigeltoe! This Pope believed in decentralization almost too much: a lot of us wish he’d have taken more vigorous action against corruption and abuses, and you’re complaining he was “unyielding in his power”. Ridiculous!

  55. I couldn’t agree less with the local paper headlines this morning Sat. 4-2-01 ‘No more hope’.
    While it saddens the world to hear of the decline and passing of the pope, there in a much greater message to be written about. As a Christian, his very belief was in the Bible which says in I Corinthians 15:19 “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.”
    Though I am not of the Catholic Church, the belief in Jesus as our Savior and Lord, and heaven that He professed of, knows no denominational barriers. For believers in Christ, the message in their life and death is that all people would come to that blessed hope of the Savior. As it says in Titus 2:13-15, “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a perculiar people, zealous of good works.” The pope has finished his life’s journey and we rejoice that his great hope in glory is being fulfilled now!

  57. John Paul was a visionary of his time. he brought us so much in the short time he was with us. As a young catholic (19), I personally looked to him for a way I should live, he was my role model. I had just gotten out of class when i received the news, and literally fell of the couch. He has inspired me in so many different ways, and now he’s gone, but he shall live in my memory forever, and on into my children’s.

  58. Another great man of God, gone but may he never be forgotten. He was surely a man of peace and a man of God. You have fought a good fight, now may your soul rest in peace and be forever joyous with Our Lord and Saviour!!!

  60. John Paul II did much to bring about the end of Communism, foster inter-faith dialogue and affirm the dignity of human life. He also had some weaker points as we all do.
    His Theology was tempered by his experiences living under two totalitarian regimes. Perhaps it can be said that the Polish Catholic church is as conservative as the Spanish Catholic church was in the 16TH Century after the experience of the Reconquista. (And the African Christian church follows this tradition of conservatism because of Colonialism.)
    He will be remembered as a good man who followed his conscience; who showed bravery, compassion, and forgiveness as well as goodness.

  61. History will remember him as THE towering spiritual and intellectual figure of the 20th century.
    “Be not afraid.” Over and over again, he repeated the message that God sent through the angels at key moments in salvation history.
    When I read his book, Crossing the Threshold of Hope, for the first time I felt a connection from a living Pope back to St. Peter himself. Not St. Peter before Pentecost, but St. Peter afterwards, who spoke so clearly and powerfully of the Lord Jesus and his intimate, saving love for us. JPII wrote like he too had walked with Jesus, talked with Jesus, ran as the soldiers took Him, denied Him, and come again to proclaim his gospel with courage throughout the world.
    Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord,
    And perpetual life shine upon him.
    May his soul and the soul of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

  62. I have prayed the rosary daily for many, many years always including Pope John Paul’s intentions. Now that he will become a saint, may the love and peace of Christ and our Blessed Virign Mother continue to flourish in the hearts of all human beings. Let us all learn from Pope John Paul’s devotion how we should live our lives. God loves all of us.

  64. I will forever applaud this Pope who braved tyrannies and revolutions to bring freedom to oppressed peoples & nations.
    At the same time I will forever wonder why he will also be known among millions for contradicting his love of mankind by enforcing hate toward the gay population. Indeed could he truly have asked Christ for such “compassion?” I think not. Imagine Christ preaching this doctrine.
    Alas……he could have been a greater man.

  65. I can’t believe how many people go to this comment page and then write words of evil. It is so sad how our world has become freeminded with the freedom of speech to hate on a sacred figure. Let us leave Pope John Paul II at peace. He has died. Let us remember all the things he has done, not the things he hasn’t. Remember how selfless he was and let him be a role model for all of us. He is watching over us now and will guide us forever…

  66. The Pope may have been a good man. History within it self has seen a lot of good men on earth. There was only one Father who is Jesus Christ. Every man has to answer for themselves. You pray to God our Father Jesus Christ to ask Him for forgiveness of your sins. No man can go to God for you. You’ve got to do it yourself. Repent of your sins to God and be Baptized in the only name under Heaven where by we must be saved is Jesus name. Ask God to fill you with the Holy Ghost and his Sprit will come into your life. This is the Real Thing “Holy Ghost”.Be not deceived for God knowth All things. Man is limited, and God has no time of day nor night. The pope was a good man and has done good things for people around the world. If we all could try to be perfect then this world would be a better place to live. To die is to gain if you have the Holy Ghost and only God can do that.

  67. In a sense, Elizabeth, it’s understandable that these people, good but confused people, have ambivalent feelings about Pope John Paul.
    The role of Pope, like that of any priest, is that of a father in the Church: and he strove to do what a good father does — to appreciate, to encourage, to coach, to strengthen, to show the way. Yet human beings sometimes are just not able to receive the good that someone wishes to give. It’s understandable that someone who does not identify emotionally as a “normal” man has a difficult relationship with a role model who is grounded and very much a normal man.
    Losing him — with that relationship still not resolved into peace — may make them wonder if they can ever meet this need of the heart.

  68. John Paul II was an amazing man who truly lived one of the titles of his office: servant of the servants of God. He played a big role in my becoming Catholic this past year. I am so honored to have entered the Church during his papacy. I believe that calling him John Paul the Great is quite appropriate for his many accomplishments both in the Church and in the world.

  69. My heart feels saddened at the pope’s passing, but how the Heavens must be singing with joy at his entry into the embrace of the Virgin Mother and God. May he watch over us and guide us from above.

  73. Arthur, “Woo Hoo, John Paul II, he loves you!”
    It is great to read that you have extreme respect and reverence for the Pope. I pray that you will become a Christian yourself. Scripture says in I Timothy 2:3b-4, “…God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” God is waiting for you to come to Him as your personal Savior. You have your sins to loose and Christ and heaven to gain. Your last comment was that if you had met Karol,you would have had a nice time together.
    The Pope’s life has ended here on earth only, yet goes on for an eternity in heaven, and we pray you will be there too!

  75. I feel a sense of personal loss & sadness with Pope John Paul II’s passing. John Paul II was absolutely a gift and blessing from God. Also I believe that this was the Popes one last lesson for us showing us the sanctity of life until the last God given breath is taken. Especially at a time when the courts here in the US have decided that to uphold the law is more important than a precious God-given life.

  76. “God in His deepest mystery is not a solitude, but a family, since He has in Himself fatherhood, sonship, and the essence of the family, which is love.”
    I thank John Paull II most of all for his wonderful teaching on the theology of the body. This great teaching about human sexuality will set us free from the chains that have bound us since the “liberation” of the sexual revolution.
    We are created in the image and likeness of God, male and female and our sexuality is a gift, the greatest gift God gave us as he said to the first man and the first woman: be fruitful and multiply.
    The life-giving love of the union between man and woman when the two become one, when the love between spouses is so real that it becomes a third and must be given a name, this union images the divine life of God Who is a family.
    The problem with the 21st century, whose sexual ethics some commentors have been praising is that it does not understand the true meaning and value of sex.
    When women begin to understand God’s gift of their bodies, of their sexuality, then they will throw away their contraception, turn their backs on abortion.
    Go read Christopher West’s book _Good News About Sex and Marriage: Answers to Your Honest Questions About Catholic Teaching_ to get the real digs on the Pope’s teaching before you bash the Catholic Church.

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