Posted on 04/02/2005 12:55:52 PM PST by West Coast Conservative
President Bush called Pope John Paul II "an inspiration to us all" on Saturday and reacted to the pontiff's death by immediately ordering that the flags over the White House fly at half-staff.
Bush planned to speak at the White House not even 90 minutes after the death of the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. The pope died at 2:37 p.m. EST in his Vatican apartment.
Hours earlier, in his weekly radio address, Bush spoke of John Paul as "a faithful servant of God and a champion of human dignity and freedom."
"He is an inspiration to us all," the president said. "Laura and I join millions of Americans and so many around the world who are praying for the Holy Father."
Bush had gotten regular briefings about the pontiff's condition since his health began deteriorating Thursday. On Saturday, Bush was in the Oval Office before 7 a.m. EST, receiving his usual national security and intelligence briefings along with updates on the pope from senior aides, spokesman Ken Lisaius said.
Bush normally tapes his radio address on Friday for its broadcast Saturday morning and very rarely delivers them live.
This time, the wait for developments out of Rome had the president holding off until shortly before the broadcast to tape the address in which he offered his prayers for the pope in his last hours.
Vice President Dick Cheney expressed gratitude for "the good life" of the priest from Poland who was once forced into slave labor by the Nazis. The pontiff, Cheney told a Marine Corps law enforcement gala in New York on Friday night, became "a lifelong foe of tyranny and a fearless champion of human freedom and a culture of life."
"John Paul II has been a voice of salvation for the lost, compassion for the weak, and respect for life in all its seasons," Cheney said. "In times of strength and in this time of suffering, the pope has been a man of unfailing courage and grace, an extraordinary moral leader, an example to all humanity. "
I am deeply saddened by the Pope's death. As a young man, I have only known John Paul II as our Pope. He is in heaven now.
Cheney as always said just the right thing about this Pope.
What a week. I wonder who #3 will be?
Laura is by his side.
ping
She's my second favorite first lady, after Mama Bush.
It might have been me, but Laura looked like she was holding back tears.
Brief but profound. Great praise of him as a son of Poland and Bishop of Rome, Shepard of the Catholic Church and a great fighter for freedom.
Not just you...
I could never describe the profound impact this man has had upon my life and that of my family. What a joy to have had him in my life as my pastor and teacher. What a witness to hope - a hope that is in the Lord. Our hope is in the Lord. Oh John Paul, my papa, pray for me - pray for us. Thank you for helping me to better know my Lord so that I might better serve Him.
Il Papa Giovanni Paolo II defunto
"Now He Belongs To The Ages"
The President's words were touching and a great tribute to the Pope..I did not transcribe as I wanted to watch..
May God bless those who mourn this great man's passing and those who celebrate this great man's life.
It was a beautiful address by the President. And, yes, I too thought Laura was close to tears...the President, too.
Statement by President G. W. Bush...
>> Laura and I join the people across the earth in mourning the passing of Pope John Paul II. The Catholic church has lost its shepherD.
The world has lost a champion of human freedom. And a good and faithful servant of god has been called home. Pope John Paul II left the throne of St. Peter in the same way he ascended to it -- as a witness to the dignity of human lifE.
In his native Poland, that witness launched a democratic revolution that swept eastern europe and changed the course of history. Throughout the west, John Paul's witness reminded us of our obligation to build a culture of life, in which the strong protect the weaK. And during the pope's final years, his witness was made even more powerful by his daily courage in the face of illness and great suffering.
All Popes belong to the worlD. But Americans had special reason to love the man from krakow. In his visits to our country, the pope spoke of our prove denial -- provencial constitution, our declaration and the blessings of liberty that follow from them. It's these truths, he said, that led people all over the world to look to america with hope and respect.
Pope John Paul II was, himself, an inspiration to millions of Americans, and to so many more throughout the world. We will always remember the humble, wise, and fearless priest, who became one of history's great moral leaders. We're grateful to God for sending such a man, a son of Poland, who became the Bishop of Rome, and a hero for the ages.
I do so love our President and the First Lady .
While giving the deepest accolades to His Holiness the Pope
and mentioning his great commitment to advancing human dignity
they themselves are a sterling representation of this same
flawless dignity . We the American people are so very lucky to have them. Thank God.
Thank you.
Hail Mary, full of grace
The Lord is with thee;
Blessed art thou among women,
and Blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
Wow thanks G for that transcription.
Thank you for posting this.
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