The end of a reign. RIP John Paul II, 1920 - 2005
 

Religious discussions are for the most part prohibited at the NPF, but I think a slight exception can be made to pay respects to a great man.

Pope Jean Paul II did a lot in his lifetime, a lot of good in fighting communism and promoting fair treatment of people. He even went to his accused near-assassin and forgave the man. He was a brave and decent man, and even those who are in strict opposition to the faith he represented would find it very very hard to say the man who died today wasn't a wonderful person.

Thank you for being the only pope who had breakdancers at the vatican.

I agree shiney. The pope was a good person, and though I don't particularly agree with Catholicism, I think he was one of the good souls in this past century. His death will be mourned.

Yeah that sucks the pope died. I'm not even catholic and I felt bad when I saw the news. He as a good pope and he did a lot of good. According to the Weekly World News he liked Spiderman. As it is it's a terrible thing he's dead, but it's his belief that his soul will go on to a better place, where he won't have to woory about his health or old age anymore. So maybe it's not all bad...

A Moment of Silence for Pope Jean Paul II.

Personsonally, I don't have much to add to the conversation. I really didn't follow the Pope's exploits when I was younger, and by the time I really paid attention to the news, he was starting into his decline.

Still, am I the only one who felt disgusted by the news agencies? Yes, I could accept them breaking into a story to announce the Pope's death or even giving hourly checks on his status, but just like Terri, they were just waiting for him to die. Devoting all their coverage towards that fact, almost willing it to happen.

IMO, it was just plain sick. But since the OJ debacle, I've pretty much had a poor opinion of the news.

SWK

I'm sorry to second guess, but how can this be a Discussion subject?

Shouldn't it be in general?

I don't find it hard: I can't say I know he was a wonderful person.

Edit: What was apparent with some new coverage I saw was how they obviously thought he was going to die in a few hours, and they had to interrupt their continuous coverage when he made it through the night and the day after. That was a nice joke on them, at least.

To a man who did much for the world, but ever more for his faith, I raise my glass. A man of honor, courage, principle, and love has left us, and I am certain those waiting for him on the other side are pleased even moreso than millions on this Earth in receiving the benefit of his company. In respect and reverence to all he has said and done, and the way even his thoughts helped to shape the world we live in, I can offer but one sentiment:


Bravo.

To a man who has performed his job always, even when he is physically and rarely mentally incapable of doing it. A man who has always been a humble servant to his god, despite having over a few billion fans himself. A man who fought to live long enough for one more Easter Sunday. My personal opinion that whenever you live to a great old age, you still deserve great respect no matter who you are, simply because you've been strong enough to remain in this world for so long. I take my hat off to you.

To the Press and Media, Who probably would have personally pulled out Schiavo's food tube, or unleashed fungal spores near the pope just for the news coverage:

Go burn in hell!

he was a pope of the people, and was very resistant to even the idea of the pope-mobile, as it shut him off from the people he wnated to associate with and be around. He was a good man, and I personally am glad he was allowed to die in peace.
I'm not catholic, and my religon frowns upon the idea of a man who sits in place of god as the proper line. but even my church this morning had a moment of silence for Pope John Paul the great. (He has truly earned the title)

Amen!

i have not much to say, but i would believe that it is a universal oppinion that the pope, especially this pope is one of the... there is no word to describe how he touched the world.

*salutes*

It would've been hard for me to agree less with his positions on certain things, and in some cases in particular I think his views actually helped further a lot of harm in the world. It'd be easier to write off his beliefs on these things with the usual "Well, that's just how it was when he was growing up" line you trot out for embarrassing old uncles if he hadn't been in a position to influence the thinking of millions of people. But he also did an awful lot of good, and in all cases but one, I believe he acted out of a genuine love for all people and a desire for their best in life. Whether his good intentions and actions balanced out the mistakes isn't for me to judge. I did respect the good he did, though, and I'm glad he isn't in pain anymore.

The death of a major, somewhat controversial figure in world politics seems pretty relevant to this section.