John Paul II:
In Memoriam

‘He is truly a saint’
He was all that kept the Catholic Church together through difficult scandals and horrible atrocities throughout the world.  He is truly a Saint and without a doubt the most influential Pope ever to head the Church.  I am saddened and yet hopeful his example inspires other powerfully influential men and women to greatness.
—Kelly L., Calif.

Loss on earth
As I celebrate the end of our loving Pope's suffering on earth and his beautiful heavenly reward, I can't help but feel our great loss on earth.  He is a beautiful example of what a human being who loves God and believes in the gift of His Son can be. I pray that I might more closely follow his path, committed to the truth of God's love for all of us.
—Lynne, Belleville, Ill.

Shepherd returns home
It is the good Shepherd who leads his flock home at any cost.  Now that the flock is once again on the path home, it is time for the Shepherd to return home himself.
—Anonymous, Worcester, Mass. 

I disagreed, but always admired
I am a former Catholic turned Unitarian. Although I didn't agree with his theology, I admired Pope John Paul II as a man of peace who bridged the gaps between Christians, Jews and Muslims by visiting mosques and synagogues. He reached out to others in the hope that we might better understand each other despite our religious differences. He also reached out to the Orthodox Christian Churches and tried to mend relations with them after a nearly a millennium long split. That is to be admired. The next Pope has very large shoes to fill. I will miss Pope John Paul II as a powerful force for peace and justice around the world. God bless him.
—Sally Burnell, Kent, Ohio

‘Pope John Paul showed me the way’
Being raised a Southern Baptist, I often heard many negative comments about the Catholic Church.  However, seeing the works and good deeds of Pope John Paul II has brought me to have a greater love and deeper respect for the Catholic religion and its people.  It is figures such as Pope John Paul II that have shown me the way in which I wish to lead my life, but never will I or anyone else be as great of a person as he was.
—Richard Willis, Pelham, Ga.

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Completed his mission on earth
The Pope, a great man of God who did so much for mankind will surely be missed. May God bless all whose hearts are heavy during this time. God has called on the Pope to do his great and mighty works and he has completed his mission here on earth and will continue to do great works in heaven. May God bless you Pope John Paul II. You have made a difference in this world you have left behind.
—Lucile F. Hendricks, Philadelphia, Pa.

'He will be surely missed'
I am a Born Again Christian, but I am no less saddened by the passing of such a Great Man of God. He should be to all, an example on how we should live and treat others.  He will be surely missed.  As he slips the surely bonds of earth, he is now touching the face of God.  May God Bless us all.
—Christiane Howe, Vernon, Vt.

A Beacon of light
As a man, the Pope embodied the essence of the human spirit:  compassionate, ambitious, courageous and driven.  As a Pope, John Paul became Peter:  a rock of Christian morals, a spirit of inexhaustible commitment to life, a leader whose voice rang strong in the four corners of the Earth, and a beacon of light and hope for his dreary flock. God speed John Paul.
—J.R. Silva, Midland, Texas

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