Today is the sixth anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II. I suspect many of you recall where you were when you heard of his death. It was one of those moments in life that marks time in an unforgettable manner.
I recall too were I was when I heard of his election as pope. I was standing off down in the Piazza San Pietro, to the right side of the main loggia of St. Peter’s basilica in the Vatican City, that evening. When his name was announced I thought we were hearing the name of an African bishop, and I stood astounded. My astonishment remained when I learned our new pope was from Poland. One of the priests on staff at the North American College at the time, Msgr. John Strynkowski, began to smile broadly and almost began to dance. Msgr. Strynkowski had met the then Karol Wojtyla, and knew him.
Let us pray for John Paul II’s soul, as we do for all the faithfully departed. We trust God has given him a place in his heavenly kingdom. His upcoming beatification reinforces our hope in this regard.
