The Blessed Pope John Paul II

BY: NINO A. CALAMBA, RN


Blessed Pope John Paul II was born on May 18, 1920 in Poland as Karol Józef Wojtyla. He has reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church for 26 years. Blessed Pope John Paul II, the most beloved Pope of all time, has been acclaimed as one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century. Catholic faithful from all over the world, especially in the Philippines, loved him so much because of his gentle and loving shepherding of his flock in the church.

As one of the most-travelled world leaders in history, he has visited a total of 129 countries during his Pontificate. One of his memorable travels was when he graced the celebration of the World Youth Day in Manila, Philippines in January 15, 1995. Millions of delegates from all over the world gathered together in celebration of peace and love, with the presence of Pope John Paul II. It was one of the most historical events in the Philippines as people from every nation, from different economic status and backgrounds, all came together in the vast Luneta Grounds to sing, shout and dance for the Lord, as inspired by His Holiness, Pope John Paul II. It was said to be the largest Christian gathering ever with the biblical theme: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you”.

Likewise, the Holy Pontiff was able to visit Davao City in the year 1981. At the Davao International Airport, Pope John Paul II was greeted by thousands of Davaoenos who were so happy to receive blessings and inspiration from His Holiness. Pope John Paul II celebrated the Holy Eucharist at the tarmac of the old Davao airport, wherein a makeshift altar was made with a canopy, which resembles a Mindanaoan boat.

Blessed Pope John Paul II was the 264th Pope according to the chronological List of Popes and the first non-Italian Pope in 455 years. When he was 58 years old, he became the youngest pope elected since Pope Pius IX in 1846, who was 54 years old when elected. Like his immediate predecessor, Pope John Paul II went away with the traditional Papal coronation and instead received an ecclesiastical investiture with the simplified Papal inauguration on October 22, 1978.
According to some historical observers, during his inauguration, when the cardinals were to kneel before him to take their vows and kiss his ring, he stood up as the Polish prelate Stefan Cardinal Wyszyński knelt down, Pope John Paul II stopped him from kissing the ring, and then hugged him.

Pope John Paul II is a remarkable linguist as well, aside from speaking his native tongue Polish, he was able to speak in various languages, namely: Italian, French, German, English, Spanish, Portuguese, Ukranian, Russian, Croatian, Esperanto, Ancient Greek, and Latin. As part of his special emphasis on the Universal Call to Holiness, he was able to beatify 1,340 people and canonize 483 saints. It is more than the combined tally of his predecessors during the last five centuries.

Pope John Paul II was proclaimed Venerable by his successor Pope Benedict XVI on December 19, 2009. He was recently beatified as Blessed Pope John Paul II on the first of May 2011, the feast day of the Divine Mercy, which he had declared himself during the canonization of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun whom the Lord gave His messages of spreading the good news about His Divine Mercy.

Pope John Paul II also was able to reach out to different churches and religions all over the world. The Church of England, which recently wed young royal couples Prince William and Princess Catherine, was referred by Pope John Paul II’s predecessor Pope Paul VI as “our beloved Sister Church”. The religion of the Church of England is called Anglican Communion, to which Pope John Paul II had a good and cherished relations. Aside from Anglican Communion, Pope John Paul II was able to reach out and establish good relations with Lutheranism, Judaism, Eastern Orthodox Church, Buddhism, and Islam.

When John Paul II became Pope in 1978, he was already an avid sportsman. During that time, at 58 years old, he was extremely healthy and active. He jogs regularly in the gardens of the Vatican. He does weight training, swimming, and hiking in the mountains. Pope John Paul II was also said to develop fondness to football.

On March 31, 2005, after developing urinary tract infection, Pope John Paul II suffered septic shock, which according to medical encyclopedia, is a widespread form of infection with a very high fever and profoundly low blood pressure. But despite of his condition, he was not taken to a hospital. Instead, he was offered medical monitoring by a team of consultants at his private residence in Vatican. This was taken as an indication by those close to him in believing that the Holy Pontiff was nearing death. By not bringing him to the hospital, it is in accordance with Pope John Paul II’s wishes to die in the Vatican. Before he died, thousands of people assembled at the St. Peter’s Square to held vigil and pray for Pope John Paul II. Upon hearing this, the dying pope was said to have stated: “I have searched for you, and now you have come to me, and I thank you.”

Pope John Paul II died on April 2, 2005. Prominent world leaders joined the world in lamenting the death of a well-loved pope, whose life was dedicated to uniting faithful people regardless of denominations. Former US President George W. Bush and his Laura paid their respects to Pope John Paul II on the 6th of April 2005, together with former US President Bill Clinton and US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice. A thick congregation of faithful people gathered at the St. Peter’s Square during the Requiem Mass offered for Pope John Paul II on April 8, 2005.

The beatification of Pope John Paul II last May 1, 2011 in time of the feast day of the Divine Mercy, was presided over by his successor Pope Benedict XVI. A vigil in preparation for the beatification was held the night before. The casket in which he was interred was exhumed and placed before the tomb of Saint Peter on April 29, 2011, two days before the beatification. Pope John Paul II’s casket was placed in front of the main altar for public veneration during the ceremony. After the ceremony, the casket was reinterred in the Chapel of St. Sebastian.

A vial containing the late Pope’s blood, taken during the final days of his life, was displayed as a relic for veneration during the beatification. The reliquary in which the vial was kept during the ceremony was carried by Sister Marie, who says she was cured after praying to the Pope, and Sister Tobiana, who nursed the Pope during his battle with illness. The beatification declared Pope John Paul II “BLESSED”.

A total of 87 international delegations were reported to have attended the beatification of Pope John Paul II, which include 22 world leaders. Five European royal families were likewise represented. The British Royal Family was represented by the Duke of Gloucester, Prince Richard, the youngest grandchild of King George V and Queen Mary. Jewish leaders were also present during the ceremony. Israel was represented by Minister without portfolio Yossi Peled.

Hundreds of thousands of Catholics from all over the world gathered for the Holy Mass in celebration of the beatification of Pope John Paul II at the Saint Peter’s Square, wherein a giant tapestry bearing the portrait of a beloved father of the church hanging at the façade of the St. Peter’s Basilica – a beacon of hope, peace and solidarity, BLESSED POPE JOHN PAUL II.