Rest In Peace John Paul II 1920-2005

I just saw the news that John Paul II has passed. Pope for 26yrs, priest since 1946(you do the math, I can't be bothered right now). A man of principle who led on his priniciples. A Catholic who put his faith out there for all to see and believe. He brought something back to the Church that his predecessor had let go of: certainty. He inherited a Church still in some disarray over Vatican II, awash with financial scandals of the Vatican Bank, and living in uncertain times. He suceeded a pope who may have been murdered, and another who died of age and stress. His successor will get a radically different Church this time. John Paul II brought the Church out of some of it's previous insularity. It is almost a sure bet the next pope will not be Italian, but from somewhere else like he was. It is certain that the next pope will probably not be pope as long as he was. I get the feeling we are in for a transition pope. Now that said, watch the esteemed cardinals prove me wrong by electing an Italian who stays in office for over 20yrs!

I hope that whatever happens is good for the Church as a whole. And yes I will be praying for John Paul II as I prayed for his predecessors in 1978 when I was 19. I remember Paul VI, I remember him as the pope of my childhood. I remember John Paul I who was there so short a time. I had hopes for him and he died so suddenly. I remember how sad that was because he was relatively young. I hope whoever succeeds John Paul II is up to the task, and healthy. I hope the cardinals do what's right and not what's politically advantageous. As a political entity the Catholic Church is a player, but it's primary focus here should be on the Church as a religion, not a political player. That said politics will most likely be involved, whoever gets the job will be head of state for the Vatican and still will lead a religion that has over a billion adherents. May whoever gets elected to the spot be worthy of it, and able to carry on the work of it.  I can't believe I am saying this but these are the hopes of mine. As a Catholic I hope the Holy Spirit does give guidance to the poor men who have to make the choice. Yes poor men, they have to choose their leadership and choose as best they can, but they are human and can make mistakes. The choice is not easy and the eyes of the world and Catholics all over the world will be on them to do it "right". The socalled "experts" are already coming out of the woodwork to weigh in with their opinions and I am sure someone in Vegas has already opened a book on odds of which cardinal will get the job.

I want to cruise LJ to see what other folks say but I doubt I will. All of us commenting this will have our own hopes. I know I do. And yes I think while sad that John Paul II is gone, he lived a very rich, full life so while it is sad he isn't here with us now, we were lucky to have him. He has gone on as Dumbledore would say to the "next great adventure" the afterlife. May he have peace there and freedom from the pain we could see etched in his face the last yr of his life.