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April
20, 2005 By now the Roman Catholic Church might very well have a new Holy Father for the first time in more than a quarter century. But there will still be only one Pope John Paul II. It will be years before the true impact of the past 26 years will be known. Poland’s native son has left behind a legacy that will soon, if it has not already, establish him as the most influential pontiff of the 20th century. For a significant number of the world’s 1.1 billion Catholics, John Paul II was the only pope they have ever known. He was the inspiration for countless vocations and reached out to every corner of the world. It has been said that during his pontificate, Pope John Paul II was seen by more people than anyone in global history. Whether that incredible claim is true, the world mourned his loss to a degree rarely, if ever, seen. The response to the Holy Father’s death went far beyond the Catholic community. A cross-section of humanity felt the loss of this holy man. From the first day of his papacy to the very end of his life, battling a chronic and debilitating disease, Pope John Paul II lived his well-known declaration, “Be not afraid.” In that, he was an inspiration. May he rest in peace.
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