|
:: Saturday, April 02, 2005 ::
Pope John Paul II dies in Rome
history: Pope John Paul II died this afternoon. He was 84. I am not a Catholic, but I think that as the Pilgrim Pope he was an extraordinary person and did a great deal to help heal the image of the Catholic church in the world, and opened doors to dialog with many other religions. Sure, people can say that there are issues with church doctrine and lots I don't personally agree on, etc., but I am not talking about all of that. He seemed to be a genuine human being. Really wanting to build bridges and not go on crusades. I had been at work about two hours this afternoon when on one of the monitors set to CTVnewsnet came up with the announcement. No sound. But you knew.
I saw the Pope in Toronto in 1984. It was in Rosedale near my parent's home where I grew up. His motorcade was heading to Cardinal Carter's house near the Rosedale bridge. It was only a glimpse from about ten feet or so, but you could tell from those around me that he was geinuinly loved even fairly early on in his papacy. I had no idea that only two of his 263 predecessors served longer than he did -- St. Peter, the first pope, and Pope Pius IX, in the 19th century.
And one of the ways the Vatican decided to let the world know that he had passed? Email.
Requiescat In Pace. You deserve it.
:: Mike Wood 23:38 [+] ::
0 comments
...
0 Comments:
|