Pope John Paul ll

....I hope our politicians and world leaders are really sitting up and taking notice of just what it is that the people of the world community respect in a man. The extrodinary outpouring of love, respect, and gratitude that is being shown for Pope John Paul should alert everyone of us who is witness to its unprecedented display, to just what is really impotant to mankind in the end. I would imagine that half the worlds people disagreed with the Pope on some or maybe even many of his church doctrines, but that was not this Pope's primary message...rather it was the message of the Christ which was inclusive, forgiving, tolerant, merciful and loving. This man of God truely knew how to condem a sin and embrace the sinner. I didn't personally agree with the Popes positions on birth control, Africa and aids, Priests marrying, women priests, his condemnation of homosexuality as a larger evil undermining marriage and family, or his dealings with the priest sex abuse scandal in america...but none of those things (those positions and beliefs) mattered to me in the end. He took his position and I took mine, but he walked in the footsteps of our Lord and he showed me how to follow Him in love...Mercy triumps over justice, love over laws.....this was a man whos larger than life heart had room for the humanity that agreed with him, and those who did not. He stated his positions, stuck by them as any good believer does, and then reached out to the world, to other religions, to all mankind and drew them to him. He was a Shepherd of men, just like the Man he followed, and he preached Jesus' message with his every breath, his every step, his every call to follow in the way of Grace. He was bent with our burdens and still he went and still he loved. He was, in my opinion, a Holy man....on a holy mission to the world.
Take notice Kings, and Presidents, Prime Ministers, & Leaders...it is not our differences, but our similarities we should be concentrating on. Make room in your hearts for people of different opinions and beliefs, different religions and different rituals...see the masses of humanity that cry to you...lead us in a way of peaceful resolution.