Saint John Paul the Great

The Catholic Church has lost one of its all-time leaders and his presence will be missed - even his presence as an invalid old man that showed strength through his suffering. Pope John Paul II was the perfect pope for Vatican II, he was the Holy Father that could bring the Church into the 21st Century and he did it with charisma, political will, unwavering faith and an outstanding prayer. Pope John Paul II died on the eve of Divine Mercy Sunday and I do think that was planned by the Pope, he held on to life so he could die on Mercy Sunday, a day he implemented in the Church to honor one of fellow poles, Sr. Faustina. Can you imagine the welcoming party in heaven as all the Saints line up to greet John Paul II? It would be a big event in heaven. I also think the Pope planned out his long serene slow death at the Vatican. He knew the cable news would be with him during his slow path to death, and what does that mean? 24 hour exposure on Cable news channels for the Catholic Church mostly positive stuff (all positive for Fox News). I will Pope John Paul II, but he is in a better place and he can now be an intercessory to Jesus for all of us. I pray that the Holy Spirit will guide the Cardinals to pick a Pope that can continue Pope John Paul II's legacy.