John Paul The Great
There is something of a syndrome that great Poles are cut down in their prime. There was Napoleon's dashing marshal, Jozef Poniatowski, who drowned in the River Elbe, and World War II Commander General Sikorski, who died in a mysterious plane crash in 1943. And then there are the legions of artists from Chopin to Wyspianski who all fell before their time.
In May 1981 it looked like the same fate was due for Karol Wojtyla, Pope John Paul II. He had just ascended the throne of St. Peter's, and his visit to Poland in 1979 had provided the catalyst for the heroic Solidarity protest movement. Moscow was tearing its hair out. Of all the people in the world who might have been elected Pope, Wojtyla was their nightmare choice.
Then the assassin's bullet struck.
Perhaps we'll never know whether the attempt on the Pope's life was organized by the KGB. A new inquiry has just been prompted after Bulgarian Cold War files relating to the case were found sopping wet in an old storeroom. But either way, Poland's best-loved son survived. Not only did he survive, he went on. In fact he went on and on and on - seeing out the collapse of the Iron Curtain in 1989 as well as Poland's accession to the EU in 2004. In the meantime he zoomed back and forth across the world with all the energy of a twenty year old.
To the Poles he was a hero. Certainly, it would be wrong to claim that all Poles agreed with every policy of their Pope. But this did little to diminish their pride and affection for him. He is remembered here in Cracow (where he eventually became archbishop for 15 years) as an extraordinarily warm and caring soul who always had time for his flock. Cracovians called him Uncle. He was a keen sportsman, who hiked, canoed and skied at any given opportunity, often with groups of loyal students. And his sense of humour rarely failed. When he was awarded the Cardinal's hat, someone suggested that it was inappropriate for a man in such a position to ski. He replied with typical wit: "It is unbecoming for a cardinal to ski badly!"
The news that Pope Benedict XVI had begun the process for the canonization of his predecessor was warmly received by the Poles. For many in the West, the concept of sainthood is a somewhat peculiar one. However, given that millions of Poles are already praying to John Paul, this is a most natural step. Pope John Paul II will join an elite group of Cracow saints, the first of whom, St. Stanislas, was canonised in 1253. Cracow has been a destination for pilgrims since its earliest days, a tradition that will only strengthen with the canonization of John Paul. Cracow's 'Uncle' may not have been buried here in the end, but the echoes of his presence can be witnessed all around, from statues to churches to his former home itself, the centuries old Archbishop's palace.
|  Pope John Paul II, you were a great man. 
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reviewed by willow from United States on Sep.10.2011 |
| To those who are critical, do your homework first. He may not have been perfect, but then who is? This man was not only the Polish Pope, he was the man who gave Poles the belief to carry on and keep their identity and aspirations as a nation. In my book, that makes him not only the Polish Pope, but a national hero too. |
reviewed by Andy from United Kingdom on Sep.05.2011 |
| Carol, you make me cry for joy whenever I see a TV documentary about you, it brings into my mind your kindness, and understanding of us all. I also think of the the big sacrifice you did in leaving your beloved Poland in order to serve us.Thank you my friend |
reviewed by Jim from Malta on Apr.28.2011 |
| jan pawel drugi jest dobry. good he made poland proud that they have some one that important and intellegent in thier country
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reviewed by hi from Canada on Feb.09.2011 |
| I know many people say the same of the popes that have existed during their time but I would say no other pope has ever bridged the faith and the youth the way he did, I love this pope and I will never forget the contributions he did for the Spanish speaking Catholics the way he did. I love you John Paul II, and miss you. |
reviewed by Robert from United States on Dec.30.2010 |
| kiedy byl ostatni ras jan pawel 2 w polsce |
reviewed by kinga from United States on Oct.21.2010 |
| it's a little bit annoying to see him EVERYWHERE in cracow... |
reviewed by Hanna from Austria on Apr.02.2010 |
| I can't believe it's 5 years since he passed on. A great man. So much warmth... |
reviewed by Alison Mayfield from United States on Mar.31.2010 |
| John Paul II is Pope who has help me understand more about my faith as Christian through his writings.He has taught me on how to love, be humble, humility, fear of God...I always fill that he is already saint of our modern times.I fill his presence now and then. I real miss father. |
reviewed by wala il Nulla from Tanzania on Dec.24.2009 |
| If others would do their research before commenting - and I mean reading books not just watching the news and reading "The World Weekly News" and other terrible "papers" people would realize that Pope John Paul II is definitely one of the greatest Popes in history. As for those of you who peruse the internet to flame the Catholic Church. You must do a lot more research, as you will find that most boyscout groups, hockey coaches and school teachers there are more molestation cases than in the Catholic Church. (And I don't mean combined.) These terrible instances are rarer than you are lead to believe. Just as you only hear about the airplanes that crash, rather than the thousands that take off and land safely daily, the Catholic Church will only make news when something terrible is happening within its folds.
I loved Pope John Paul II - I have studied him for years - and I am not Catholic. He was a good man. His Church is a good church. We non-Catholics have to stop flaming this Church. Like my mother used to say, if you can't say anything good, don't say anything at all...especially when you don't know what you're talking about and watching FOX NEWS!
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reviewed by Marie MacPhee from Canada on Dec.18.2009 |
| I don't think he was to great of a pope most of the stuff you hear now days is lies |
reviewed by Angyt from Costa Rica on Nov.25.2009 |
| I think he wasn't all to great the best pope is Pope Pius Xll |
reviewed by Angy from Canada on Nov.25.2009 |
| The best pope i think there ever was is
Pope Pius Xll |
reviewed by Angy from Canada on Nov.25.2009 |
| John paul 2 .... we miss you !! |
reviewed by david from Germany on Nov.21.2009 |
| I believe that as head of a church that condons pedophilia I feel there is nothing to be proud of. I know you are in complete denial but thanks to the internet revelations have inundate the world. Imagine all those victims who have suffered in anonimity before the internet age. The Catholic Church has laways condoned homosexuality particularly among young boys. |
reviewed by Narada from United States on Nov.11.2009 |
| Yeah, I always remember him. I do believe that he is now in the foot of the God. We ,all get his greadfulness & Kindness. Great Thznks to Pope. I do LOVE you so much Father!!! |
reviewed by Alfred Saw Ei Reh from Burma on Oct.31.2009 |
| Yeah, I always remember him. I do believe that he is now in the foot of the God. We ,all get his greadfulness & Kindness. Great Thznks to Pope. I do LOVE you so much Father!!! |
reviewed by Alfred Saw Ei Reh from Burma on Oct.31.2009 |
| I remember when the pope came to Fort Simpson N.W.T. My family and I were very happy to see him. Me and my family were touched by him and the way he touched our people in our community too. We will all miss him dearly. |
reviewed by lori fabian from Canada on Oct.23.2009 |
| I never met you but I know you prayed for me! Miss you still... |
reviewed by Lisa from United States on Aug.23.2009 |
| Am amazing person. Chattan - I think you've got your wires crossed! |
reviewed by Sally Barnes from United Kingdom on Jul.31.2009 |
| I believe this picture is very revealing to those with eyes to see! First, you see two Catholic leaders wearing Yarmakas on their heads which is Jewish. Second, 2 of them have huge noses which is a Jewish trait. Pope John Paul's mother's name was Wanda Katz which is Jewish. Question: Is the Catholic Church Christian or Jewish? The Christian faith and Jewish beliefs are completely opposite. What's up with this? You decide! |
reviewed by Chattan from United States on Jun.26.2009 |
| An inspiration. A humble and kind man. Thank you.... |
reviewed by Lindsay from United States on Jun.25.2009 |
| Pope John Paul II was an amazing man. Thank you for putting this up. Hope to visit Krakow one day. |
reviewed by Alison from United States on May.28.2009 |
| He was a great guy indeed, humble and all, i saw him was in Peru, but my question is: where does it say in the bible that there should be pope? i read it through and through but nothing,, anybody a hint? |
reviewed by Mike from Netherlands on Apr.23.2009 |
| Love forever...(*) |
reviewed by Bart from United States on Apr.01.2009 |
| I went to see Pope John Paul 11 in 1979 in Dublin. I can't explain the feeling I had inside me then, it was like Our Lord was amongst us. There will never be another Pope like him he communicated with his flock. Sadly missed. |
reviewed by Veronica Letsome from Ireland on Mar.24.2009 |
| Pope John Paul II you were one of, if not the greatest man to ever live. You have changed the lives of many for the better and lit up the world in ways which cannot be explained. We all miss you so much and hopefully one day we will be with you once again! God bless your soul! |
reviewed by David from Malta on Feb.19.2009 |
| false prophet just like the bible says in rev |
reviewed by billy from Canada on Feb.14.2009 |
| Ivan Pavao jedan i jedini. Pavle spasi nas od grmlja i stabla, inace svi cemo na skrge disat. |
reviewed by Dražen from Russia on Dec.15.2008 |
| Wake up Catholics, the pope is a false prophet. You are warned in the bible about wolve's in sheeps clothing. I will never step into a Catholic church again. I chose to worship the king of kings without the evil catholic church between myself and the lord obstructing the truth.
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reviewed by David from Australia on Nov.04.2008 |
| i lost my mom last 2004. then when the holy father died, i feel the same pain. a great pain! i missed my mother, my brother and my father. who died last year 2007 and this year. same thing with the pope. i mssed him a lot. its a great pleasure to see him in manila year2005. during world youth day. its one of my greatest memories of the pope. he is the greatest man! holy father... i love and miss you so much! |
reviewed by pip from Philippines on Oct.18.2008 |
| he was the best |
reviewed by betty from United States on Oct.13.2008 |
| i went to his house he actually lives behind a church and thats is why he got into minestry just think if it wasnt for that church the world would have missed his greatness all together |
reviewed by sarah from United States on Oct.07.2008 |
| The Pope of my century. Aman of the world, Loving to all races of the world, holy, humble, and one who could associate with all ages.Lover of peace. |
reviewed by Margaret Wamukoya from Barbados on Aug.25.2008 |
| We miss you heaps,
ILY Lots |
reviewed by Isabella from Australia on Aug.22.2008 |
| Pope John Paul you were awsome. We all miss you here at St. Martin Of Tours School down in Stoney Creek Ontario. All The best. |
reviewed by Kevin Di Sanza from Canada on Jun.11.2008 |
| i am going to visit your home of krakov where i will remember you in my prayers for all you done for us. |
reviewed by mary from United Kingdom on Jun.05.2008 |
| Papa John Paul II, I miss you soooo much. Thank you for all you have done, and for your prayers now. |
reviewed by Rich from United States on May.04.2008 |
| St. Pope John II is a great kind and caring person. I love him and look up to him. I just wished the website would have more about him. |
reviewed by Indigo from United Kingdom on Apr.21.2008 |
| he was the most beautiful, forgiving and modest person I can think of |
reviewed by AG from Poland on Mar.29.2008 |
| he was a great man! and i am writing a project for school about him at school. he had te courage to forgive! |
reviewed by MB from United States on Feb.20.2008 |
| i love the pops so much i miss him i miss the way he looks i think was brilliant |
reviewed by jamiepoooo from Albania on Jan.24.2008 |
| pope john paul was the best man that i have seen in my life and i am thankfull for knowing the pope i meet the pope when i went on a trip to mexico i loved his kindness and the love he had for every ono he was a great man and i am happy that i meet him onec and felt his hands .R.I.P we all love you pope john paul 2 |
reviewed by joseline portillo from Canada on Jan.16.2008 |
| JOHN PAUL UNTIL THE END OF TIME |
reviewed by Brendan Kealey from Ireland on Nov.30.2007 |
| Blessed is the humble for God will exalt him. Pope John Paul was the defender of faith, the opressed and the unborn. A man of love, charity, faith, humility, forgiveness and compassion. |
reviewed by Bernadette from Australia on Nov.24.2007 |
| the true pope he was cause he decided to forgive the man who shooted at him,acording to the lords prayer. |
reviewed by dan ochola from Kenya on Nov.05.2007 |
| i loved when he was alive and i was happy when he died because he now is a saint in heaven with the holy father; GOD |
reviewed by Maya Warszawska from United States on Oct.30.2007 |
| Without pope John Paul the Second Poland would still be lost...He was a great man. |
reviewed by Ryan Harvey from United States on Sep.23.2007 |
| Saint John Paul is the reason for my return to the Catholic church/faith after 20 plus years of wandering |
reviewed by Joseph Szepietowski from United States on Sep.22.2007 |
| i am not catholic but i too had a great respect for pope john paul - he was a grand man |
reviewed by thelma roberts from United Kingdom on Sep.21.2007 |
| My beautiful Pope John Paul, I am asking for your help in the healing of my sister Martha who suffers from Lupus.
Anna |
reviewed by Anna from United States on Jun.19.2007 |
| A man that showed us how to love, care, pray and forgive. A true example and the pride of our Catholic faith. |
reviewed by Diego from United States on Jun.06.2007 |
| We have prayed to Pope J.P.II and have recieved many MIRACLES(both large and small). We have no doubt that he is a saint!!! |
reviewed by sharon from United States on May.21.2007 |
| We miss you so much Holy Father. You are in our hearts always, and fill us with hope and love. |
reviewed by Jan from United Kingdom on Apr.29.2007 |
| We miss him so much... |
reviewed by Michael from United Kingdom on Apr.23.2007 |
| I have walked in his footsteps. wonderful. |
reviewed by Eileen from United Kingdom on Apr.22.2007 |
| FANTASTIC JOHN PAUL II IS STILL WITH US ! IN THE KRAKOWIANS HARTS |
reviewed by johny from United States on Apr.10.2007 |
| nothing but the truth |
reviewed by Edward from Ireland on Mar.14.2007 |
| beatiful person ! |
reviewed by mona from United States on Mar.13.2007 |