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I did no such thing. This is taken word for word from a debate in which it was quoted and referenced. I changed nothing. And it is irrelevant to the conversation. The bolded part changes nothing. It is not Christ whome the Pope is seeking salvation from in that prayer, it is Mary he turns to for it. I quote again: " Sustain us, oh virgin Mary, on our journey of faith and obtain for us the grace of eternal salvation" Now, I may have quoted what I heard directly, and that quote may have left out what you filled in. It does not in ANY way change what is being said. The pope paid lipservice to Christ in HIS office as redeemer, then turned right around and asked Mary for his salvation. Not Christ, Mary. Exactly what I stated earlier that he said and you denied it.

Where did you "hear" this prayer with the crucial words left out? I provided a link. I suspect you either found it in anti-Catholic literature, so obsessed with discrediting the Pope that it would, in effect, stoop to the level of planting evidence. If you heard it coming from the mouth of a priest, either he made a mistake, or (more likely IMOHO) your need to attack the Pope led you to develop a selective hearing disorder.

In any case, I have thoughtfully provided a link to the actual words of the prayer. The John 14:6 referrence explains what he is saying quite efficiently.

Think about it for a second. John Paul II is a brilliant man. You would conceed this point, I expect? Popes have been dealing with the same tired accusation that you just made for centuries. Protestants have trouble understanding Mary's Special Role in Catholic Tradition, so they assume that in consititutes worship. It doesn't, but that's beside the point. Why would the Pope, of all people, add fuel to the fire by making such a blatant mistake? He wouldn't.

As a Christian, I am going to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that you did not intentionally change the quote to suit your argument. It's beside the point. You're still wrong.

"obtain for us the grace of eternal salvation"

obtain, as Mediatrix, from your Son. Catholics believe that Mary's intercession with her Son is powerful, due to His love and respect for her.

Catholics understand this. Mary is Mediatrix of grace. The prayer is understandable to Catholics because the context is second nature. You are misunderstanding the prayer because you don't have/accept the context . . .

"paid lipservice"

Amazing how ignorant people, when faced with an enigma, simply accuse the other of insincerity.

"paid lipservice"

yeah, like the Pope doesn't really believe in Christ as his redeemer. It's all a big act. You caught him.

Now, look more carefully at the words: "Obtain for us." Since when does "obtain for" mean "give to"? If he believed Mary was the source of salvation, he'd say, "Give us the grace of eternal salvation." No, those words are prayed to Jesus Christ alone.

To obtain something for someone is to get something FROM someone ELSE for that person. Christ gives us our salvation. He gives it to us THROUGH his Church, which is embodied in Mary (Rev 12), who has brought Christ into the world by her submitting herself to CHRIST'S will.

You want to go it alone, without Christ's church, fine, but don't twist words.