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I, as a Catholic, thank you for your decorum. This is a thread about the Holy Father's declining health (my grandfather is the same age and he converted to Catholicism in his early 70s). I vaguely remember him becoming Pope when I was 5 years old because my devoutly Catholic maternal grandmother was quite excited by it. John Paul II is a man who has stood against the secular world and never wavered in his respect for life, he prays for those who would destroy him, and despite illness and age, has continued to spread the word of God everywhere he goes. Whether or not you are a Catholic, non-Catholic, Jew, whatever, it cannot be denied that he is a man of principle and compassion.

I get disgusted when I see the news of someone's ill health turn into 'my religion is better than yours, nana-boo-boo' within a handful of posts. So you don't like the Catholic Church--fine. Leave the doctrine and so on for another thread. There are times I want to join the name calling with words that would get me banned, but I restrain myself. Not because I am afraid of being banned per se (even though I would not like it), but because I have to stand before my Lord someday and account for what I have said and done.

"John Paul II is a man who has stood against the secular world and never wavered in his respect for life, he prays for those who would destroy him, and despite illness and age, has continued to spread the word of God everywhere he goes. Whether or not you are a Catholic, non-Catholic, Jew, whatever, it cannot be denied that he is a man of principle and compassion.
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Yes. I disagree with some of the positions taken by the Roman Catholic Church, but have great respect for this man. The Pope is the only religious leader who has a worldwide congregation. There are Roman Catholics in every nation on this planet.

That puts the Pope in a sometimes difficult position, vis a vis secular governments. His role as a peacemaker is one that often puts him in a tough spot, but he is beholden to no country or government.

This Pope has the respect of all world leaders, simply because he has retained his independence. His patience helped end the Communist government of the Soviet Union, bringing a democratic system to countries, including his own Poland, which had not seen such a system before. That contribution, alone, should be enough to warrant the respect of everyone of good will.

Doctrine or no doctrine, Pope John Paul II is a true world leader. One need not agree with his religious beliefs to recognize that contribution. His passing will be a sad event, to be sure. I hope the next Pope has as much character and strength.