RIP Pope John Paul II - A Day of Respect and Mourning

[Clausius2]

The Pope John Paul II has just died.

As a christian catholic, I am sad today.

He did a lot for peace in world, and for avoiding fights between civilizations.

Today is a day for respect to Church, no matter if we are believers or not. Occident culture is built onto the Christian Church and its tradition. Despites we believe on God or not, despites we believe in another different ways, the great history and background of this institution, besides the great labor of John Paul II for Peace, today it is worth saying:

God bless the Pope.

(Sorry for being too serious).

 

[stoned]

Rest In Peace

 

[Ivan Seeking]

God bless the Pope.

Even as an ex-Catholic I have no doubt that he does. The Pope was a great and holy man.

 

[Evo]

John Paul II was a good Pope, may he rest in peace.

 

[1123581321]

John Paul II had the second longest papacy, was the first Polish pope, and the first non-Italian pope in 455 years. He helped greatly to bring down communism in europe and bringing peace in troubled areas. He survived the assassins bullet and was the first pope to visit the Jewish cynagauge in Rome. There is no doubt that he will be loved and remembered for a long time to come. Being the pope for almost 27 years, he has been pope for my whole life, and the only pope for millions of other Catholics like myself. In five days he will be buried, and after about 9 days of mourning, the conclave of cardinals will start, where a new Pope will be elected. There is 117 eligible cardinals as of now. The leader of the church until then will be the carlemango, John Paul II's assistant. Word is going around that the pope may be Latino or African, but only time will tell.

God bless the Pope, and may he rest in peace.

Fibonacci

 

[arildno]

He was a man of ideals, and great personal integrity.
He did not deserve all the pain he has struggled with over the last years.

I hope he found peace and contentment at the end.

 

[klusener]

John Paul II had the second longest papacy, was the first Polish pope, and the first non-Italian pope in 455 years. He helped greatly to bring down communism in europe and bringing peace in troubled areas. He survived the assassins bullet and was the first pope to visit the Jewish cynagauge in Rome. There is no doubt that he will be loved and remembered for a long time to come. Being the pope for almost 27 years, he has been pope for my whole life, and the only pope for millions of other Catholics like myself. In five days he will be buried, and after about 9 days of mourning, the conclave of cardinals will start, where a new Pope will be elected. There is 117 eligible cardinals as of now. The leader of the church until then will be the carlemango, John Paul II's assistant. Word is going around that the pope may be Latino or African, but only time will tell.

God bless the Pope, and may he rest in peace.

Fibonacci

forgive this hindu for butting in ;-), but his papacy was the third longest after Pius IX and St. Peter, but the day I started admiring the guy was when he visited Agca, the person who tried to assasinate him, in prison and forgave him.

 

[Artman]

I had a lot of respect for that Pope. He will be missed.

 

[kaos]

may god bless his soul

 

[Moonbear]

forgive this hindu for butting in ;-), but his papacy was the third longest after Pius IX and St. Peter, but the day I started admiring the guy was when he visited Agca, the person who tried to assasinate him, in prison and forgave him.

While I have not always agreed with his views on all issues within the church, he has also done many great things. He very much led by example. I don't think one needs to be Catholic to appreciate many of the things he did.

 

[Clausius2]

Although I don't agree with the structure of the Church and its great power and money (directly contrary to what Jesus prayed on Earth), In think the Pope John Paul II has been one (in addition to several modest priests who make active charity in poor countries and societies) of the persons who has made the most for charity and stretching the distances among civilizations (on the contrary there are another oriental religious leaders who are not interested to do so).

I sincerely believe he was a good person, and he was not interested on richness (not like some of its subordinates who travel in Mercedes everytime and do almost nothing for human beings) nor being famous, neither fighting against another threatens of muslim religion whose supporters have been shown several times a dislike to the Catholic Church. He only honestly pursued actively the Peace between men.

I wish the next Pope had the same grade of humanity of J. Paul II.

 

[Smurf]

The day I started admiring the guy was when he visited Agca, the person who tried to assasinate him, in prison and forgave him.

I agree, that was pretty cool.

 

[marlon]

Although I don't agree with the structure of the Church and its great power and money (directly contrary to what Jesus prayed on Earth), In think the Pope John Paul II has been one (in addition to several modest priests who make active charity in poor countries and societies) of the persons who has made the most for charity and stretching the distances among civilizations (on the contrary there are another oriental religious leaders who are not interested to do so).

Being catholic as well and i do agree fully with the structure of the church, i also followed the news throughout this day. it is indeed a very sad moment. A monument of our time has passed away. Finally his sufferings are over and may he rest in all peace...TOTUS TUUS ERGO SUM...

Thanks Clausius for starting this thread in which we can pay our respects to this great leader...

regards
marlon

 

[marlon]

John Paul II had the second longest papacy, was the first Polish pope, and the first non-Italian pope in 455 years.
Fibonacci

Indeed and i believe the last non-italian pope before Johannes Paulus Secundum was from The old Flemish regions (now, Belgium and the Netherlands. he was born in the Netherlands and studied at the very same university (of Louvain) where i do my phd, it's a small world isn't it ?)...

http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?tocId=9003795

marlon

 

[Pengwuino]

This man was a great man. Whether your of the faith, of a different faith, or of no faith at all, we can all agree that he is possibly one of the greatest modern day leaders.

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

Even as an ex-Catholic I have no doubt that he does. The Pope was a great and holy man.

Agreed, I am definitely not catholic, but I still recognize him as a great man.

 

[brewnog]

While I have not always agreed with his views on all issues within the church, he has also done many great things. He very much led by example.

Spot on Moonbear, spot on. It would be interesting to see more church leaders (especially CoE...) actually make a stand about things which matter, rather than piddle about sitting on the fence, even if it means a bit of controversy.

 

[Dr. Nick]

Rest in peace Karol Wojtyła(Pope John Paul II)!
No doubt this was a great man.

Clausius2:
He did a lot for peace in world, and for avoiding fights between civilizations.

I know this is not the time and place, but where from you draw this kind of conclusions, I believe from the tv… I’m sure he had such attentions, but realizations … Pope is not the church.

 

[marlon]

Spot on Moonbear, spot on. It would be interesting to see more church leaders (especially CoE...) actually make a stand about things which matter, rather than piddle about sitting on the fence, even if it means a bit of controversy.

Indeed, this pope had the audacity and honesty to speak out his opinion no matter what 'the trendy popular short-term opinions' in a certain society were. He was perhaps the only leader of such high moral standard. I am not saying we should all agree on his views, but at least he was honest and not afraid of controversy. I am convinced that most of our current politicians could learn a lot from him. especially most of the leaders in western europe. religion proves to be very important in our society and we should be able to speak out our religious beliefs, even if they conflict with other opinions and religions. I am sure you know what specific religion (that we should question in nature) i am referring to

regards
marlon

 

[marlon]

Rest in peace Karol Voitila (Pope John Paul
II)!

I am sure you mean Karol Wojtyla

No doubt this was a great man.

Yes indeed

I know this is not the time and place, but where from you draw this kind of conclusions, I believe from the tv… I’m sure he had such attentions, but realizations … Pope is not the church.

How about speeding up the entire democratization of eastern europe. How about helping the fight on communism and the stepping down from office of Augusto Pinochet ?

marlon

 

[1123581321]

I know this is not the time and place, but where from you draw this kind of conclusions, I believe from the tv… I’m sure he had such attentions, but realizations … Pope is not the church.

If its not the time and place, then don't do it.
also, it is foolish to say that the pope does not help to bring peace to the world.
Note to any future posters:
This was intended to honor a great man, not to talk politics. Do not include anything in your post that even comes close to politics, do it in another thread.

Fibonacci
Yes, i am harsh, no, i don't care.

 

[BicycleTree]

I am sure you know what specific religion (that we should question in nature) i am referring to

Which religion?

 

[Dr. Nick]

How about speeding up the entire democratization of eastern europe. How about helping the fight on communism and the stepping down from office of Augusto Pinochet ?

marlon

I stand behind my words, I didn’t mention communism, I don’t think that he done little (as Pope) ou contraire, I was thinking on the church role, in some conflicts...
That’s just mine opinion.

And no more from me on this topic in this thread, my base point is in my first sentences of my first post.

Regards!

 

[hypatia]

I recall the excitement in Poland when he was chosen. He went to so many countries with his calm pleasant demeanor, I know he touched a lot of hearts and gave hope to those who had none. The world will miss this good man.

 

[Danger]

It means nothing to me personally–just another death among thousands every day–but my condolences do go out to those affected by it.

 

[gravenewworld]

It is true the KGB was behind his assassination attempt (which would make sense) or was it just some whacko?

 

[Smurf]

I assume your referring the first attempt on his life, which has KGB rumors about it.
I don't believe he was on his own. But you'll be hard pressed to convince me the KGB ordered it either. His assassin was a master marksman, if he wanted to kill the pope he would have, I think he was hired to scare John by a third party.

 

[1123581321]

It is true the KGB was behind his assassination attempt (which would make sense) or was it just some whacko?

That is a good question. True, the KGB did have motives to do so and they had resources, but this would be a very bad thing for them to do. If word got out, the fall of communism would have only been accelerated, and many would try to kill some KGB. I don't believe they were behind it, but you never know.

Fibonacci

 

[Andromeda321]

My roommate and I have been watching the news channels a lot lately while trying to make sense of his passing, which is something a lot of other college kids have been doing lately... we're not Catholic but like many college kids his passing has struck a chord with us. Not only is he the first pope to pass away during my lifetime, but he's the first world leader whose works I can remember to die. As a result I doubt I will ever forget this day.
RIP

 

[Grace]

Originally posted by Greg Brenhardt:
Agreed, I am definitely not catholic, but I still recognize him as a great man.

I disagree with a lot of what he said, but he had some balls.

I think he could have been more forceful with the American bishops regarding the priests-touching-little boys-scandal though.

Great Moments:

The Pope staring down the totalitarian socialist despot Daniel Ortega.
The great mass in Warsaw.
His appeal for Terri Schiavo's life.

He survived the Nazi occupation of Poland, communist Poland, and was an advocate for life.

Some argue that Pope John Paul II was even more instrumental in the fall of Communism than was Ronald Reagan. Historians will argue this for generations.

 

[stoned]

Did you guys see him in real life? I saw him once from far, far away, but my roomate saw him (while he was only a bishop) dozen of times in Krakow.

 

[Moses]

nor being famous, neither fighting against another threatens of muslim religion whose supporters have been shown several times a dislike to the Catholic Church. He only honestly pursued actively the Peace between men.

I wish the next Pope had the same grade of humanity of J. Paul II.

I don't want to change the thread, I am so sad of the Pope leaving,
Speaking of facts:
Muslims appreciate that the Pope did not recognize the invasion powers who invaded the Holy Land as a state until 1986, and Muslims deeply understand
the pressure he had from European goverments, almost exactly as the pressures now made against muslims by the anti-religion powers in the political regiemes of europe.

Muslims and Christians has many, so many intersection points among both religions. However, there is a critical differences [e.g Muslims believe that Jesus is God Messenger, not God son nor Trinity do exist...etc] and both DISLIKE the differnce happen. If you see something right, you dislike what you think it is wrong.

The Pope apologized for the jews abuot the discrimination happened to them in Europe. However, he did not apologize yet to the muslims for all the crusades wages against them, the courts of killing them after Spain re-conquesta by Catholics and many other staff. With a sure voice still Muslims deeply apprecaite the Pope actions and understand the pressures on him.

Will, let's assume he is the enemy of the muslims, they loves their enemy [Catholics are not the only onese who do so, even Athiests some times do the same thing]. So by all means Muslims unconditionally loves him, as He loves them too. Still the strong disgreements between both is another issue.

Once again, a point i see a must to be clarified and i hope i did. Apologize if i change the thread a bit our of track.

 

[arildno]

I firmly believe John Paul's display of humility and portrayal of himself as a servant, was genuine, and not an act put on so as to only seem holy and pious.

If he secretly had cared mostly about himself, and despised the "masses", how would he have reacted to the severe illnesses he became plagued with?
I think, that if that were true, then he would have secluded himself in a fog of self-pity and bitterness at the world.

But John Paul reacted completely differently. He drove himself on, and as far as he was physically able to, tried to remain open and accessible to ordinary men and women.
Why would he do so, if he didn't value them highly or felt that they had legitimate claims on him that it was his task to satisfy?

And only because he genuinely valued these people, could he draw nourishment for himself from talking with them so that he managed yet another day filled with physical pain.
If he hadn't respected the ordinary people he met with (and, I think, admired), such meetings would just have been onerous to him and he would have disbanded the practice altogether.

For all his various opinions, John Paul also embodied the very best sides within the Catholic faith; there aren't that many other popes you can say the same of.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

While sitting here with the morning news on, it strikes me that this funeral - with two million christians expected to attend - is quite a target for terrorists. :yuck:

 

[cronxeh]

the god damned theatre that is unfolding on national tv is sickening and i want to puke everytime i see the pope.