Posted on 02/24/2005 12:28:21 PM PST by AliVeritas
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Adored by some, attacked by others, Pope John Paul is perhaps the most widely recognised person in the world.
On the world stage, he has been at once a champion of the downtrodden and an often contested defender of orthodoxy within his own church.
In recent years, the world has watched the decline in the health of the 84-year-old Pope, who suffers from Parkinson's disease and severe arthritis. He has been unable to complete his prepared speeches and has difficulty pronouncing his words.
On Thursday, the Pope was rushed to hospital in Rome for the second time this month with a relapse of flu, reviving fears in the 1.1 billion-strong Catholic world that one of the most historic pontificates is nearing an end.
The Polish Pope burst on the scene on October 16, 1978, when cardinals in a secret conclave chose him as the first non-Italian pontiff in four and a half centuries.
The third longest-serving pope in Roman Catholic history, the steely-willed John Paul ushered his church into the new millennium despite his sapped stamina.
Historians say one of the pope's most lasting legacies will be his role in the fall of communism in Eastern Europe in 1989.
Poles believe his unflagging support for the banned Solidarity trade union while communists tried to crush it was a potent force keeping the movement alive.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
God's will be done. In Jesus name we pray for the Pope to ease his suffering and give him strength in this difficult time.
But seriously, I don't wish him ill. I hope he recovers.
This magnificent man has handled his illnesses with grace and courage.
He is a splendid example of what it means to have "integrity". He has risked all for "freedom".
I pray that God grants him rest and peace always.
Amen.
Fox reporting Pope is getting a tracheotomy.
Seems like Reuters had his obit written and couldn't wait to run it... Change a few 'was' to 'is' and you get this article...
God's will is ALWAYS done... We, as humans, need to accept it.
I'm a lapsed Catholic, but I cannot help but feel great admiration for this man. Its a sad time.
bump and a prayer for JPII
Prayer bump!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.