The passing of Pope John Paul II

As a Jewish man, I find it difficult to speak as to the emotional impact of the Pope John Paul II’s passing. I’m not sure anyone, other than those who are Catholic, can accurately describe what this individual meant to them and to their religion.
Without saying, the Pope is the most recognizable religious leader in the world. Because of that, he is also the most vilified. Those very conservative non-Denominational, or Protestant, church leaders, who often complain about their public treatment, know nothing of what a Pope faces.
One Sunday morning while I was driving through Amarillo, I actually heard a “preacher” refer to Pope John Paul II as “the Son of Satan” and called all Catholics “members of the world’s most dangerous cult.” He then claimed to be a loving Christian, which confused me because as a Jew, I thought those who believed in the teachings and words of Jesus Christ belonged basically to the same club. It has always amazed me how Christians can hate (and disparage) other Christians where they essentially believes the same teachings. I guess it’s all in the execution.
I vividly remember John Paul II’s 1987 visit to San Antonio and the mesmerizing effect he had upon everyone, including this Jewish man. Seventy-two hours before his arrival, a ferocious wind storms arose and destroyed the intricate metal scaffolding that was to be used for his outdoor mass. People were stunned and church officials were totally panicked over what to do.
As it turned out, it was a blessing. A backup system was used and it allowed more people to see the Pontiff that originally planned. He even took note of it during the event.
The sight of his glancing past the Alamo in his Popemobile, of listening to Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis (of the Fifth Dimension) sing to him during a special event at Municipal Auditorium and of the unbelievable outpouring of emotion and love to him was breathtaking to watch all day and night – from touchdown to liftoff of his airplane on San Antonio television.
The mass was held in an area called Westover Hills; you know it today as … SeaWorld and a marker notes the event at the park.
Regardless of religious affiliation, any human being HAD to admire this man’s fervor, commitment and spirit toward peace and helping mankind. In this day and age, that should be regarded as saintly.