<p>Although I am not Catholic, I was very moved by the life and death of Pope John Paul II. A while back there was a thread on the Dartmouth board about the greatest people of the 20th cent and surprisingly, and regrettably, none of us thought to mention Pope John Paul II. </p>
<p>He helped to bring Catholic and Orthodox Christians, Muslims and Christians, as well as Christians and Jews together. Someday, someone will write the definitive book about John Paul's contribution to the fall of the Soviet system and the freedom of millions of eastern Europeans.</p>
<p>The world is a little different tonight.</p>
<p>Indeed it is. I don't know how I'll feel when they elect a new Pope... I mean, how do you replace such a wonderful person??</p>
<p>He's now in the place he preached about! God Bless John Paul II!! Thanks for remembering Fountain (emily), especially if you are not Catholic, God bless you too.</p>
<p>Teaching til the end, dying with dignity and hope, telling others to rejoice in his journey. He really was awesome. Right, the poor new pope, filling those shoes...but most of the current underlings were appointed by him, so we'll see.</p>
<p>a great man has left the planet!</p>
<p>He was the greatest person i've ever known in my life, we're gonna miss him soo much.</p>