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Digitonomy
Guest
Interesting article; I hadn’t been aware of the disparity in popularity of the two pontiffs.
A Deep Respect for Benedict, but It’s Still True Love for John Paul
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brockmac
Guest
I Love JPII, and BXVI. I remember when John Paul was near death, I was very sad. I had vague memories of the funerals of Paul VI and John Paul I, but i was only 9 when John Paul II became Pope, so in many ways, he was the only Pope I had known in my life. This was compounded by the fact that I had been fortunate to hear his Sunday blessing from his window about 7 months earlier. I loved and respected him. He had been a great Pope for so long. I didn’t know what to expect from whoever would be his successor.
One night, I went to the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, and knelt down before my Lord, praying for our dying Pope, and for wisdom among the Cardinals. Then it hit me. The Catholic Church is not JPII’s church, it is Jesus Christ’s Church. He had given us a wonderful shepherd for 26 years, and regardless of who the next pope would be, the Church would remain the spouse and the mystical body of Christ.
Then I remember my joy when I heard the Cardinal Ratzinger had been elected as Pope Benedict XVI. I had high hopes, but knew he would not be another JPII.
To me the most special moment of this Apostolic visit, was his visit to the WTC site, especially his meeting with the survivors and loved ones of the victims. Though I could not hear what was being said, the compassion and carring in his eyes when he spoke with each of them was obvious. For the 30 seconds or so that each one of them was with them, they were the only person in the world to him.
Indeed, God has given us another wonderful pope.
One night, I went to the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, and knelt down before my Lord, praying for our dying Pope, and for wisdom among the Cardinals. Then it hit me. The Catholic Church is not JPII’s church, it is Jesus Christ’s Church. He had given us a wonderful shepherd for 26 years, and regardless of who the next pope would be, the Church would remain the spouse and the mystical body of Christ.
Then I remember my joy when I heard the Cardinal Ratzinger had been elected as Pope Benedict XVI. I had high hopes, but knew he would not be another JPII.
To me the most special moment of this Apostolic visit, was his visit to the WTC site, especially his meeting with the survivors and loved ones of the victims. Though I could not hear what was being said, the compassion and carring in his eyes when he spoke with each of them was obvious. For the 30 seconds or so that each one of them was with them, they were the only person in the world to him.
Indeed, God has given us another wonderful pope.
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Dale_M
Guest
I have heard that the Italians have a saying which translates roughly as: “After a fat pope, a skinny pope.”
Popes Benedict and John Paul II are very different. But that isn’t a bad thing.
Popes Benedict and John Paul II are very different. But that isn’t a bad thing.
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Chuck_H
Guest
Simple explanation
“The good old days”
JP II was a great pope but he was and Benedict is. That makes JP II an known and B XVI a revealing. Revealing is always uncertain. See where I am going? Both are good, BXVI is just alive and we don’t know where he is going to go with the Church. So far it looks like he is headed right where he is supposed to. Next Pope will share the same fate as BXVI for the time he is alive.
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kathielee
Guest
It would be a prideful thing for us to try to second guess the Holy Trinity or to presume to compare this Pope and that Pope.
God gave us John Paul the Great in God’s timing and God has given us Benedict XVI exactly in God’s timing.
The Holy Spirit moves as He will. Both Popes are doing God’s will and it is so very obvious always that God knows what we need, who we need, and when we need.
How horrible would it be when we have children to say…well Janie sure isn’t a Johnnie.
Kathie
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Chuck_H
Guest
I wasn’t comparing Kathie, I was simply using the time honored "old versus new " thing. Both Popes did and are doing what they are supposed to. The popularity is the old versus new philosophy. Nothing more, nothing less.
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kathielee
Guest
Sorry, Chuck…I wasn’t aiming that at you. I replied but didn’t intend it to be specifically for you.
Kathie
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Chuck_H
Guest
No offense taken
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kathielee
Guest
:whacky: I’m an old yanky so you understand!No offense taken
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Santi2
Guest
Five Popes in my lifetime. From Pope John XXIII to Pope Benedict XVI. I sooooooooo love all of them. Each Pope accompanied me and offered guidance at the various stages of my life. For that I am grateful and may God bless them all.
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Monicathree
Guest
This past week was very special. I learned a lot about Pope Benedict xvi. And, I was telling a friend of mine. I feel in my heart, not that this means anything cause he has been for 3 yrs, but I feel that love for him of Papa. My heart swells when I see him now. I don’t know what happened. Maybe learning more about him and what gifts he brings to the Church. I think he is just what we need and God knows this. This man is so gentle yet speaks with such wisdom and truth. And I would never think I would say this, but that little Bavarian accent is soo sveet to me ven I hear sis man talk…I just love him and am so grateful to have had JPII and to have Pope Benedict XVI.
I really think that time will tell, and people will realize how our Rock rocks…
I really think that time will tell, and people will realize how our Rock rocks…
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aurora77
Guest
I could have written this post. This is exactly how I’m feeling now. I grew up under John Paul II (I was about a year and half old when he became Pope). This visit has given me a chance to get to know our new Papa.
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Chuck_H
Guest
Who knew a thread about Popes could make one feel OLD! Six here, from Pius XII on.
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Santi2
Guest
Oooooops!!!Who knew a thread about Popes could make one feel OLD! Six here, from Pius XII on.
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Scott1
Guest
So very well said… for those of us Catholics who grew up with Servant of God John Paul II, it might be hard for some to immediately have the same feelings for any new Pope. I think that in time, when the good Lord brings Benedict home, there will be the same kind of thread talking about the love of Benedict “over” the new Pope.
Thanks for giving me the perspective of someone who has seen more than one Pope in their lifetime… it helped a lot.
Peace be with you,
Scott
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brockmac
Guest
God gave us Pope JPII for the television age. He had the physical charisma to carry well on television. This is now the internet age, where people read more on the internet and Pope
Benedict’s writings are more accessible. I love and thank God for them both. Pope Benedict does not try to fill Pope John Paul’s shoes. He knows that no one could. He fills his own quite nicely.
I especially love how he took on the abuse stuff head on while he was here. He didn’t flinch. He said it was wrong and that he will do what he can to make sure that it never happens again.
Benedict’s writings are more accessible. I love and thank God for them both. Pope Benedict does not try to fill Pope John Paul’s shoes. He knows that no one could. He fills his own quite nicely.
I especially love how he took on the abuse stuff head on while he was here. He didn’t flinch. He said it was wrong and that he will do what he can to make sure that it never happens again.
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tgliang
Guest
To follow more on John Paul II, follow
Over 600 Vatican and EWTN links to John Paul II’s General Audience catecheses from 1985 through 2001.
Over 600 Vatican and EWTN links to John Paul II’s General Audience catecheses from 1985 through 2001.
- Go to tgliang.spaces.live.com/
- Click on “Public” icon
- Click on JP2 General Audience.doc” file (483 KB)
- On the menu on top, click on “Download” and a window pops out
- Click on “save”
- Specify download directory on your computer
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TxDeeDee
Guest
I still have a tendency to refer to Benedict as “the new guy”. I was about one when PJPII came to us. I feel it was like a father that died and now we have a step dad to learn to love. I think it’s very hard for my generation b/c we had PJPII for so much of our life that it’s hard to imagine life w/o him. I am not a very strong Catholic and thought that my feelings about Benedict were bad, I’m glad to see that others have struggled with my same feelings.
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Holly3278
Guest
I love both of them!
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Eden
Guest
Me, too! One of the EWTN guest commentators said one way she has heard it concisely put, is that John Paul II made us feel and Pope Benedict XVI makes us think. They both had/have unique strengths to offer the Church. Pope Benedict XVI is the right Pope for our times.
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