John Paul II:
In Memoriam

God's gift to us
Occasionally God grants us the gift of a person, who brings his message to the people in such a way, that all are moved by it and perhaps some will even act on it. John Paul II was God's gift to us in this past century. We may not see the likes of him for a long time to come.
—Michael, Fort Worth, TX.

Muslim reaction
As a Muslim Pakistani woman, he is the first and only Pope I have known in my 29 years of life. I always considered him as a man of peace because he always stood for the peace of the world by talking against the wars. He always stood against the sexual scandals no matter how harsh those scandals were on his religion. He touched the heart of not only millions of Catholics but also millions of Muslims by standing against wars and cruelty.
—Farheen Rizvi, Forest Hill, Md.

Polish pride
When I heard the news of Pope John Paul's death, I remembered the day he was elected Pope in 1978.  As a descendant of Polish Jews, I felt a surge of pride despite a history of problematic relations between the country's Catholic majority and its Jewish community which lived there for 1,000 years.  I wished him well then, and I cried today while watching the news.  As a Jew  I am grateful for the things that he did to build bridges to our people and eliminate the old prejudices and stereotypes that had corrupted relations between Christendom and Judaism. I will always remember the image of him at the Wailing Wall praying and placing the note in the crevices of our people's most holy place.  I will also remember his going to the synagogue in Rome and to Auschwitz and his willingness to address the church's policies during the Holocaust by opening the Vatican files.  However, even more so, I will remember him as a man who was directly impacted by the Nazi occupation of his country, just as my ancestors were, and his courage in fighting both the Nazis and the Communists who were oppressing his country.  Without his inspiration, Communism would not have fallen in Eastern Europe.
—Steve Tursky, Fairfax, Va.

A man of the world
Pope John Paul II saw goodness in all people, because he saw God in all people.  Through his travels, he interacted with rich and poor alike, showing that he believed in the dignity of all men.  Whether or not you agreed with him, his actions toward others demanded that you respected him.  I believe that he left a mark on the world and the papacy, and I'm sure that now he rests in peace with the Lord, whom he served so well.
—Bob Gan, Honesdale, Pa.

Father of the largest family
The man who endured so much strife in his life, the man with no family, who became the beloved Father of the largest family in the world, has left us to go home to be with his Father.  God bless you and keep you John Paul, the entire world will miss you!
—Eileen, Newport News, Va.

Jewish perspective
As a Jew and an American, I am saddened by the loss of the Pope. While I do not agree with his position on certain social issues like abortion and birth control, I have always respected and admired his efforts to bring together the diverse interests of the people of Earth. His outreach to Jews, Muslims and people of other faiths and his determination to make all of us realize how important it is that we learn to respect each other and live together in peace makes him one of the most important people in history. I hope in death that he can remain a beacon of hope and teacher to all of the preciousness of life. Rest in peace.   
—Bob Korren, Bedford, N.Y.

Living proof of God
Pope John Paul II is the only Pope I have ever known.  I remember him being elected and the excitement in my school. There was so much expectation and so much anticipation. John Paul II was a truly spiritual and prayerful man.  The genuineness of his faith, the firmness of his belief that he could accomplish great good in the name of God and accomplish it peacefully, with gentleness, was a model of Christ's teachings. He was, to me, the living proof that everything God asks of us spiritually is attainable.
—Donna, Philadelphia, Pa.

Loving the youth
As a Catholic teenager, I can confidently say that John Paul II was a man who truly cared for the youth of our world. His love for all of us radiated so brightly. John Paul II, we love you.
—Jesse, Bemidji, Minn.

What the future will say
Pope John Paul II, more than anyone else, deserves tremendous credit for bringing about the end of the Soviet Union's control of Eastern Europe, and eventually, the Soviet Union. In addition, his reaching out to Orthodox Christians, Jews, and Muslims, will hopefully advance a dialogue towards reconciliation. Unfortunately, I believe that when we look back 50 - 100 years from now, his tenure will be noted by its inaction as well; His failure to support the popular uprisings in Latin America and his failure to promote women into a greater role in the church.
—Allen Tomlinson, Washington DC

He not only talked the talk, but walked the walk
As a man of no faith the man made me question my beliefs.  John Paul was a great man who talked the talk and walked the walk. I am humbled by him as a human being.  Pride is one of the seven deadly sins spoken of by God and he made me call my own into question.  Tomorrow I will return to my own church to pray for him.  If there was a man of god this was one.
-M. Buckwalter, Phoenixville, Pa.

Welcome home
What a glorious party there must be in heaven tonight! Can you just picture John Paul II being greeted at the Lord's table, being offered a glass of wine, as the Lord says "welcome home, good and faithful servant"!
-Valentine, Bensalem, Pa.

Buddhist thoughts
I am a Buddhist teenager that was once a Christian, and although I don't agree with the philosophy of the Catholic Church, I did (and still do) greatly admire Pope John Paul II. He was truly a wonderful man in all spiritual aspects. He taught many lessons to people, no matter what religion they practiced. He shall be surely missed. I just pray that everyone will be able to use his noble actions and deeds as precedents so we become a better, more spiritual people. Goodbye, Pope John Paul II. We will always remember you in high regard.
—Katherine, Canandaigua, N.Y. 

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