While waiting for the Mass to start last Sunday, the commentator mentioned something about praying for the soul of Pope John Paul II. I was stunned to hear the news because although I knew that the Pope was in a serious state, I wasn't ready for him to die. Because I wasn't anticipating his death, hearing the news got me teary-eyed... Ewan ko ba. I didn't care much about his work when he was alive. And now that the Pope's dead, I keep on tuning in to CNN to take note of the events surrounding his death. Talagang natatanto mo lang yung halaga ng isang tao pag wala na siya.

Because I am now an avid viewer of CNN (Heehee. :p), I've learned how influential the late Pope has become. Many credit him for the fall of communism in Poland. He initiated dialogues with the Jews, Muslims, and those associated with other religions. He spoke against homosexuality, abortion, the use of contraceptives, and the ordination of women priests. He very much expressed his love of children and of humanity. He made numerous efforts to bring the Vatican and the Church all over the world as he was the most traveled Pope visiting more that 120 countries in his 26-year papacy. Although he alienated groups of women and the like because of his traditional and conservative views, he was well-loved and well-received by the whole world. Even if I wasn't able to meet him in person, watching footages of his life and death on television moves me to tears. (Lalo na nung Easter Sunday at sinubukan niyang magsalita sa harap ng napakaraming tao kahit mahirap at kahit wala na siyang boses...) And now, we won't be able to witness his smile, his blessings, his speeches... After Friday, we will only be left with his snapshots, his videos, his poems, his memory, his legacy. In spite of all this mourning, we have to be wary of the future. We have to figure out what's wrong with the Church and how is it going to address the concerns of our changing world. But for now, we will mourn his passing. We will celebrate his life. We will thank God for giving us this man of wisdom, of determination, of grace, of truth, of hope, of love.

Kahit tumingin ka lang sa mga litrato ng Santo Papa, nararamdaman mo yung pagkabanal niya at yung pag ibig niya para sa lahat sa buong mundo.

Karol Josef Wojtyla 1920-2005 We will miss you. We love you.