With the Pope's Condition 'Very Serious' after heart failure, it begins the closing of the third-longest reigning papacy in history. Pope John Paul II has held the papacy for an astounding 26 years. The only other two pontifs to have held longer reigns were Pope Linus (the second pope) and Pope Pius IX, back in the 19th century.
His Holiness Pope John Paul II has been known by today's society as the pope who brought God closer to the people. This is about as close to the truth and reality of it as it gets. Pope John Paul II has managed to show the world just how much strength can be gained from simple faith, hope and belief in the goodness of humankind. His Holiness has also made shock waves of surprises with his statments made pertaining to various high-profile events, the most recent examples being those of 9/11, the War in Iraq, the Indonesian Tsunami and following Earthquake...and even the death of Ms. Terry Schiavo. Pope John Paul II also shocked several high-profiled politicians when he held a time of mourning following the death and passing of former PLO leader Yasser Arafat.
This is without a doubt, one of the strongest and most fascinating Popes humanity has ever witnessed. His silence spoke volumes and his kind words shattered even the most dreaded hatred. Even during his last hours, he prays. He prays for humanity, for the goodness of all humankind and, of course, I'm sure he prays for a calm and peaceful passing. The Lord has blessed our Pope with the ability to communicate to all persons of the Earth, regardless of race, religion or personal preferences. This Pope took on some of the most trying times our world has faced yet, and has done so with a far greater dignity than anyone would have expected.
His Holiness Pope John Paul II will not easily be replaced, for his legacy that he has left to this world will be remembered for all time, and rightly so.
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