Pope John Paul dies, 84

**Missy** · 04-02-2005, 04:50 PM

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe...ies/index.html

**homesteadmamma** · 04-02-2005, 04:51 PM

**AmyBoz** · 04-02-2005, 05:04 PM

**Kimberlina** · 04-02-2005, 06:04 PM

I haven't been a practicing Catholic in years and this still makes me sad. I remember when he was made Pop- I was in Kimdergarten at a Catholic school and I acrually remember talking about the black smoke/white smoke. I was just telling my sis about it yesterday.

I told DH at least a month ago that the pope wasn't going to make it through this illness. He has so many illnesses, but I just knew that this would be the last one. As far as popes go, JP II seems like he was a really decent guy, and he reminded me of my (also polish/lithuanian) grandfather who also died at 84, two years ago.

**Emerald_Mommy** · 04-02-2005, 06:43 PM

I'm not Catholic but this is still sad news. He did so much good for the entire world, especially in defeating communism. He's been the pope for my entire life. I'm having trouble imagining anyone else in that office.

**Dixie** · 04-02-2005, 08:48 PM

I admired him so much. Even though the world is changing, he stuck to his beliefs.
I'm not Roman Catholic, but my late dmil and fil were/are. Their Godson, who is a Fransiscan monk, living in Jerusalem, met with Pope John Paul II in the Vatican. He brought along a photo of my youngest dson and the Pope blessed him. I thought that was such a nice thing for him to do. My dson has had a blessed life so far, that's for sure.

he has always felt a special connection to John Paul II.

**momof42003** · 04-02-2005, 10:11 PM

Sad news... I am not Catholic, but as Emerald_Mommy said he has been the only Pope that I can remember... Too much death for me... Family and other wise...

**AmyMCGS** · 04-03-2005, 09:22 AM

I am Catholic, and he's the only Pope I can remember. Technically he didn't take office until I was five years old, but, still...

It will be really interesting to see who becomes the new pope and what changes he might make in the church. Chances are that it will be someone JPII picked, as I heard last night that he personally has selected 98% of the current cardinals. So, probably it will be someone with the same traditional values... but it's an interesting time for the church now.

It was a surprise to me that CNN did 24-hour coverage (or nearly) of the Pope's passing. I forget sometimes that he is such a world leader, not just within the church.

**KKCondrey** · 04-03-2005, 10:11 AM

Mom and I were out yesterday and got home about 2:30 right before his time of death. We flipped on the news before it was public knowledge and I told her that I had a feeling he had passed and they just hadn't announced it yet. We watched for a few more minutes and they still didn't say anything. Then when we flipped the channel back around 3 they were announcing it.

I've been watching some of the news coverage. I'm not catholic, but I've always found the whole process if selecting a Pope very interesting.