POPE JOHN PAUL, II HAS DIED OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM VATICAN IMMINENT (Breaking Nws) 9:37 PM Rome 4/2

FOX news | April 2, 2005

[MikefromOhio]

prayers for the Pope....the only one I have known....

[onyx]

Much appreciated Ernie.
Love for JPII knew no boundaries.

[FlingWingFlyer]

Thank you for that picture. These two great men made the world a better place for so many.

RIP Holy Father.

[radiohead]

Rest in Peace.

I have tried to learn something about bearing the burdens of age and disease from his grace and dignity in doing both.

[cyborg]

ping to this for your files

[eastsider]

On July 13 (two months before the miracle of the sun), our Lady stated, "... I shall come to ask for the consecration of Russia to my Immaculate Heart and the Communion of reparation on the First Saturdays. If my requests are heard, Russia will be converted and there will be peace. If not ... the good will suffer martyrdom; the Holy Father will suffer much." On Dec. 10, 1925, Our Lady came with the child Jesus to Lucia (who had became a Sister), in her convent cell in Pontevedra, Spain, to request the First Saturday Devotion. On June 13, 1929 at Tuy in Spain, our Lady returned to Sr. Lucia and requested the Consecration of Russia to Her Immaculate Heart.

Today is the First Saturday of the month.

[GoldwaterChick]

Amen to that. We were blessed to share the earth with such a great man. My immediate picture was of Pope John Paul arriving at the Pearly Gates in his skis! I mean no disrespect--he was a very charming man. Guess I was thinking about the editorial treatment of his passing. His life was an inspiration of all of us. May God Bless his soul.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

.

Pope JOHN-PAUL II's first words as Pope was to tell us all not to be afraid.

Translation:

Have no Fear...
For we are all very dearly LOVED,
As we are and are not,
By the LOVE Itself and...
By those around us who...
Really do care for us.

.

[Hand em their arse]

Thank you so much for posting that..... That is my absolute favorite song, can't sing it, or for that matter even read it without crying....

"Be Not Afraid" and "Footprints" are forever etched in my brain... Those words from both have carried me through so much in my life... Thank You Again Mo1

[Halls]

Yes they are, and they are sharing a glorious moment, I'm sure!

[neutrality]

Rest in peace

[MadIvan]

Said this earlier:

Passing of Greatness
By IvanGroznii on Apr 02, 2005 - 04:55 PM
http://www.rightgoths.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=38

On a bright Sunday afternoon in November 1999, I was standing in St. Peter’s Square in Rome. My family and I had just attended Sunday Mass, my feet were sore as it had been standing room only, and the scent of incense was lingering as it wafted out of the immense cathedral.

As I walked through the crowds of believers, some holding flags and signs indicating their country of origin, my father tapped me on the shoulder and pointed at a building in the distance. I could see from my vantage point that a window had opened, and there stood a small figure in white. It was the Holy Father.

I felt a lump in my throat, a feeling that one has been called to penance and prayer, and an overwhelming sense that God is not just a distant entity, but rather, is with us and among us. Logic, reason, and worldly wise cynicism all were abandoned: it was a brief moment of pure faith. The Holy Father then waved to the crowd, spoke a few words of blessing which boomed out to the throng through a loudspeaker, waved again, and then withdrew.

I never forgot that moment, and have been thankful for the Holy Father’s presence in the world. While I am not a particularly good Catholic, it was always good to have an example of faith, and to be reminded of God’s presence. The Holy Father reminded me that while I am a sinner, there was always the chance, and the encouragement to do better.

Now the Holy Father is dying. Moments tick by, counting out the portions by which his life ebbs away. News cameras are focused on that window from which he spoke in 1999, this time awaiting the light to go out. It will be a signal that his great spirit has gone to eternal rest and reward. Yet amidst the media coverage and the hype and the spin and the tributes, it must be remembered that greatness like his is fleeting, and that we should cherish it as the special gift it is.

It is clear that the Holy Father stands tall among his peers, as great popes are rare popes. Sometimes popes can be mediocre, other times, downright diabolical: for example, Pope Alexander VI was a member of the Borgia family, father of the infamous Lucretia, and notorious for his mistresses and poisoning his rivals. Other examples are even worse: according to legend, the debauched Pope John XII toasted the devil at the high altar.

However this Pope has not only been consistent in his affirmation of the value of human life and traditional Catholic values, he can, unlike his peers, take credit for having played a huge role in liberating millions. His visit to his native Poland after becoming Pope, reaffirmed for the Catholic peoples of Eastern Europe that there was a greater, grander alternative to the slavish doctrines of Marxism and Leninism. With that faith in hand, Poland was able to gather its strength to throw off Communism. That proved to be sufficient inspiration for the other nations in the Communist bloc to also throw off their Soviet masters.

In addition, the Holy Father has overseen a vast expansion of his flock, particularly in the Third World. For example, the Catholic Church in Nigeria has been gaining in strength, in spite of the pressures it faces from the Islamic community.

Furthermore, the Holy Father has preached reconciliation with other faiths, and relations between the Church and the Protestant and Jewish faiths have greatly improved.

While there have been failings, such as dealing with the paedophile scandals in the Church, overall, the Church is broader, stronger and operating in a freer world thanks to the presence of the Holy Father. Perhaps this explains his enduring appeal, and why the faithful, both young and old, are praying for him in droves on the streets of Rome and Krakow, and in churches throughout the world. Or perhaps in addition to his achievements, this deep affection for him lies in his modesty, his charisma, his humour and his obvious faith.

Whatever the reason, as twilight enters the life of John Paul II, and the Father of us all calls him home, it is important to recognise that he was special. His time on this earth, on a cosmic scale, has been as fleeting as one of his appearances at the window with a call to embrace God, faith and prayer. Yet we are better for it, should be grateful for it, and hope that as he shuts his eyes for the last time, that what he built will endure.

Regards, Ivan

[End Times Sentinel]

Your work is done, Pontiff.  God Bless you and recieve your reward.

 

Owl_Eagle

(If what I just wrote makes you sad or angry,

 it was probably sarcasm)

[onyx]

First time I have seen that particular pic.
I love it.
Thanks again.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

That wasn't quite theologically right, but anyway, Jesus, Mary, I love you! Thank you for sharing John Paul with us.

[freecopper01]

May they walk in the eternal garden, discussing the Most Holy Son Of God, Jesus.

Amen.

Two wonderful men.

[Wolfstar]

Such is the way of all flesh.

[armymarinemom]

Sad day. I'm not Chatolic but I had a lot of respect for his work.

[El Conservador]

:'(

It's devastating for me!!!

He's the only pope I've ever known in my life.

All my prayers go to him so he can have a safe trip home to God's Glory, to meet with Jesus Christ, our Savior, and Mary, Mother of God.

Thanks for everything, Karol. May God plentifully reward you in Heaven.

Amen.

[newzjunkey]

What a shame but he was strong until the very end. Bless him and, if there is more beyond, I hope he continues to intercede on our behalf. We need all the help we can get.

Rest in peace, John Paul II.