John Paul II
The death of Pope John Paul II is seismic, for he stood as a bridge not only between two centuries, but between heaven and earth, totalitarianism and freedom, spirit and suffering.

He is the last in a line of figures from the last quarter of the 20th Century who once ennobled and led us in optimism and hope: Reagan, Princess Diana and Pope John Paul II. Yet the Holy Father lived in the most wrenching times of war, death, hunger and oppression. His indomitable strength, intellectual fiber and moral character withstood the crushing horrors of Nazism, Communism and religious persecution.

He did make a miraculous and wonderful journey to the very pinnacle of the Church, a 2,000 year old institution of learning, faith, hospitals, saints, and political power. Yet his heart and his soul always remained devoted to the sick, the oppressed, the needy. His orations and blessings were bestowed upon every individual on every continent. The world, in turn, gave him love and respect.

After the long dark night of Communism, a warm and rising sun of spirit and liberty shines upon Eastern Europe. Poland, long the epicenter of Stalinism, lived to witness the very son of Krakow sit in the chair of Peter. Freedom and Karol Josef Wojtyla are synonymous.

Our world is actually changed sometimes by that rare human being who can summon the better angels of our nature. John Paul II the was one of those kings of humanity who practiced and lived the modest and humble life so well.