<p>I guess I'll be the first to start a thread about Pope John Paul II. Anyone that wants to can post their thoughts and prayers. I'll start by saying that he was a truly remarkable man, that changed the world in such a positive way. His successor will have an extremely difficult time filling his shoes.</p>
<p>Word. I was going to type the SAME thing before I read your last sentence. His successor WILL have a hard time trying to perform up to even 50% of John Paul's potential. May his soul rest in peace.</p>
<p>A sad loss for Catholics everywhere, but at least he lived a long and fruitful life and nobly kept going on even as his health worsened and worsened. We could all learn something from that.
May his successor fill his shoes aptly and in a less homophobic manner.</p>
<p>Opposing same sex marriage does not mean someone is homophobic. The term homophobe refers to a fear of homosexuality. Simply opposing same sex marriage does not meant that someone is afraid of it. Marriage should remain between a man and a woman, and truly hope that the Roman Catholic church will continue to oppose it and I know it will.</p>
<p>this is true, alukaszewicz. I have several friends who are homosexual, I am not afraid of it in the slightest. That being said, as a Catholic I agree with the stance against homosexual marriage. I am however open to the form of some kind of civil union for homosexual couples...i can't make up my mind on this issue :)</p>
<p>I too agree that there should be some sort of civil union for homosexual couples, just as long as it is not called marriage.</p>
<p>For 3,000 some odd plus years homosexual marriage hasn't been an issue. Why now? It's not an issue.</p>
<p>What an amazing man. He was kind to those of every religion and was truly a forward thinker.</p>
<p>I liked him, but I wish he had condoned the use of condoms considering there are like 100 million catholics in africa. Don't get me wrong I am not knocking the guy, I am a catholic and I think he did a lot to connect with the followers of the church, but aids sucks.</p>
<p>What the hell are you talking about? How can you defend homosexuals? they're the lowest people (if people) I can imagine. The Pope was absolutely right about them.</p>
<p>Homosexual marriage??? Is it joke? The capital panishment for them, it's the crime against humanity.</p>
<p>Really. What other species are homosexual? Obviously it's just a human problem. I don't understand the justification for being homosexual; just be normal.</p>
<p>testingh 23</p>
<p>there are a couple threads already about the pope.</p>
<p>out of respect, if we want to digress into homosexual debates, why don't you make a new thread?</p>
<p>I think we shouldn't consider homosexuality in this threat. Everybody can have his own opinion but i don't thing becuase the Pope was not approving homosexuality he is not worth our attention. </p>
<p>He was one of the best and did so much for the world. Let's not fall into politics and oter issues but just focus on this great man.</p>
<p>I think he lived a long happy life, he did a lot of good things in his lifetime.</p>
<p>Despite the imperfections inherent in all humans including himself, the Pope has strived to mend the bonds we share as a human race in the hope that we will overcome these imperfections. To him, it is painful to watch and know of the misery we cause each other because of fervent ideological beliefs, rancor, or ignorance. In the face of great resistance from those all around, he met with leaders from the many different faiths including the Dalai Lama, rabbis at Jewish synagogues, and the leaders of the Orthodox Church in order to bring together the human family. He gave us a poignant example of what it is to be Christian: when almost assassinated, he met with his assailant and spoke with him. He felt no anger, only love. I and the other billion Catholics feel like we've lost a father, a shepherd, and a source of hope. There is a void in the Church, a void only he could fill. But his legacy is one that won't die with his body. It will, I hope, imbue all humans with a sense of duty - a duty to live their lives to serve others. That is the only thing life is worth living for - for the sake of others. I hope the Servant of the Servants of God rests in peace.</p>
<p>hikkifan: that was very well-written</p>
<p>i've said it before and i'll say it countless times, the world has lost a truly amazing and incredibly man. he has left his mark in countless ways. i know he is in heaven now and i look forward to the time when we will all see him again.</p>
<p>We've really lost a father</p>
<p>I think this worship is ridiculous. I feel sorry that the Pope died because he is a human being. But its ridiculous when you say stuff like "we've lost a father." What father? Catholics do not make up the majority of this world. The Pope has no political power despite what people say. Go mourn him, but he's a man, not some deity.</p>