Personal Memories
The announcement of the death of His Holiness Pope John Paul II, although expected, filled me with the sadness of separation. The death of our Holy Father is a great loss for the universal Church, and, indeed, for the entire world. I also have a sense of deep personal loss, for, throughout so much of my ministry as a priest and bishop, I have been influenced and guided by the pastoral example and wisdom of Pope John Paul II. Accompanying this sadness there is deep gratitude to God for the life of our Holy Father.
During the years in which I was assigned to the Vatican Secretariat of State as well as the Congregation for Bishops, I was privileged to work closely with the Holy Father. I was among the Vatican staff who accompanied him on a number of his apostolic visits. Among these pilgrimages was the memorable visit of Pope John Paul II to Philadelphia on October 3 and 4, 1979. I was at once honored and humbled by the confidence which our Holy Father placed in me during my tenure at the Vatican, and in his appointing me Archbishop of St. Louis and, subsequently, as Archbishop of Philadelphia. It is with great emotion that I vividly recall my episcopal ordination at the hands of Pope John Paul II , and later my reception of the pallium, the symbol of the office of Metropolitan Archbishop, as well as the Cardinal's red biretta.
My personal memories of Pope John Paul II accentuate the memories of the Holy Father’s public persona and Christ-like example which all of humanity will cherish. In Pope John Paul II, not only the Catholic Church but the entire world experienced a leader of integrity, unwavering values and uncompromising Christian leadership. As history examines the Papacy of John Paul II, he will be remembered for his greatness, his pastoral charity and his efforts to unite all humanity in the fellowship of love, while showing them the source of love in the Person of Jesus Christ.
Courage, compassion and charity
Before his election to the Papacy, the life and ministry of Karol Josef Wojtyla formed him as a priest and bishop of courage, compassion, apostolic zeal, pastoral charity, and socio-political wisdom in navigating the Church in Poland against the tyrannical oppression of the post-Nazi Communist regime. Karol Wojtyla’s philosophical and theological approach embraced the dignity of the human person redeemed by Christ. Cardinal Wojtyla’s convictions strengthened him in his mission to solidify and fortify Catholics against anti-Christian, totalitarian subjugation. Further, his Christian attitude toward work as a vocation, a share in the work of God the Creator, inspired the Polish people to cast off Communist oppression to live in the freedom of the children of God.
When on October 16, 1978, Karol Wojtyla was elected to the Papacy, the first non-Italian pope in centuries, the world was captivated immediately by his warmth and affability. In choosing the name “John Paul,” he demonstrated his connection with the spirit and ministry of his Predecessors, John XXIII, Paul VI and John Paul I, as well as his commitment to the implementation of the authentic spirit of the Second Vatican Council, at which he had been an active participant.
His vastly numerous apostolic pilgrimages brought Pope John Paul II to nations and territories throughout the world. Each of these visits demonstrated the universal nature of the Church, one body which is enhanced by ethnic and cultural diversity. Each of these visits also provided the Holy Father with the opportunity to proclaim the gospel message of the dignity of humanity redeemed by Christ and the value of each individual human life from conception to natural death.
The gospel message of justice fueled Pope John Paul II in his love for the poor and suffering throughout the world. His voice was ever raised in defense of those in need as he rallied all of humanity to have concern and charity for the poor.
In a particular way, Pope John Paul II was acutely aware of the sanctity of marriage and the family. As the opinions and attitudes of culture and society toward marriage wavered and weakened, the Holy Father reminded couples constantly of the tremendous value of their vocation, the unitive and procreative beauty of their conjugal love, the permanence and strength of their marriage covenant. The Holy Father’s teaching on the human person, the body and sexuality will continue to influence many future generations.
Eucharistic piety and Marian devotion
Pope John Paul II exuded a piety that was genuinely Catholic, a life and ministry centered around the Most Holy Eucharist and enhanced by devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. These were the foundation of his Catholic identity as a youth and remained with him throughout his priesthood, episcopacy and papacy. The example of his Eucharistic and Marian piety has a marvelous influence on clergy, religious and laity, upon people of all ages. Most particularly, however, youth, who were so close to the heart of the Pope, were moved, motivated and shaped by the Holy Father's devotion.
Throughout much of his Pontificate, beginning with the attempt on his life on May 13, 1981, Pope John Paul II has shown the world the unique vocation and Christian meaning of suffering. Particularly in his final years, the hearts of millions were touched by the Pope’s fidelity to his mission while struggling with physical ailment and the gradual weakening of advanced age. By his own witness, we have seen that the elderly and the infirm have much to give — a wisdom of the heart, strength of mind, and offering of affliction — from which the Church and humanity will always benefit.
Soon the Cardinals of the Church will gather for the Funeral Rites in Rome, I ask that you unite with us in commending to the mercy of God this valiant shepherd, this good and faithful servant. As now we mourn the death of Pope John Paul II, we pray that God will reward him with the “unfading crown of glory” (1Pt 5: 4).