POPE JOHN PAUL II

The passing of Pope John Paul II is a hugely significant event, both to the international community and to a Catholic College.

As a Catholic school community we acknowledge and mourn the passing of Pope John Paul II, the head of the Catholic Church. Pope John Paul II was the 265th Pope of the Catholic Church, the first, of course, being St Peter.

At the time of death we saw Pope John Paul II as a frail, sick old man - these would have been the main images one would have seen of him. Of course, he was not always that way. When he was elected at the age of 58 he was a fit and energetic man - he was known as an athlete - a runner, a swimmer and a cross-country skier - a very popular sport in his home country of Poland.

He travelled extensively as Pope visiting 130 different countries. In 1995 he visited Sri Lanka, the only Pope ever to do so. He was a man who could speak many languages fluently.

He was a great leader of the Catholic Church, who was genuinely loved by so many around the world, including by many of quite different religious faiths, and by many who did not agree with his views. Tributes to Pope John Paul II came from leaders all around the world. His great gift to our world has been his fierce commitment to peace, justice, freedom and compassion.

In 1981 he was shot 3 times at St Peter's Square in Rome. In 1983 he visited the jail in Rome to meet with the man who tried to kill him. During that meeting he prayed with his would-be-killer, and offered him forgiveness. He was the third longest serving Pope in history.

May he rest in Peace.

Rev. Fr. Sunnystun,
BURSAR.