Bl. Pope John Paul II, in memoriam

It seems impossible that Pope John Paul II passed away seven years ago. I have told this story here before, though I am adding a few personal details: I remember staying with my Granny at her (then) rural home in October 1978, as the conclave to elect a pope to succeed to Papa Luciani was underway. I stayed up very late, badly wanting to know who the next pope would be. I was transfixed. This would be not unusual, except that I was 12 years-old and not Catholic and, in fact, knew next to nothing about the Catholic Church. Also, I only knew one or two Catholics. Watching live and alone in my Granny's living room, I remember him emerging on the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica. I felt something like a jolt of electricity go through me as I saw him. It was an amazing experience.

I also remember seeing him in 2005, not long before his death, appearing on the balcony of the Apostolic Apartment and giving his apostolic blessing to the pilgrims gathered in the Square. My feeling at that time was much the same, even though I was now Catholic and had been at that point for a very long time.

O Blessed Trinity, we thank You for having graced the Church with Pope John Paul II and for allowing the tenderness of Your Fatherly care, the glory of the Cross of Christ, and the splendor of the Spirit of love, to shine through him. Trusting fully in Your infinite mercy and in the maternal intercession of Mary, he has given us a living image of Jesus the Good Shepherd, and has shown us that holiness is the necessary measure of ordinary Christian life and is the way of achieving eternal communion with You. Grant us, by his intercession, and according to Your will, the graces we implore, hoping that he will soon be numbered among Your saints

With ecclesiastical approval

Camillo Card. Ruini

Vicar General of His Holiness

for the Diocese of Rome

JPII, I still miss you, even as I love Pope Benedict XVI, who certainly would've been Bl. Pope John Paul's pick to succeed him.