The outpouring of emotion and love shown by millions around the world towards Pope John Paul II, especially the millions who are waiting in line four hours on end to view the pontiff's body, has been truly astounding. World figures come and go just like everything and everyone in life, yet none has received the kind of love and attention in death as John Paul II has. Now of course, very few figures ever leave the same lasting effect on the world that the pope did either.
John Paul II took strong stands on issues that needed strong stands to be taken on. Under his leadership the Catholic church, and in turn much of the world, has fought to promote a "culture of life", a term now commonly used by President Bush to describe his own administration's social views. The pope also stood up to communism and it's Godless, inhuman tenets, joining hands with other world leaders such as Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher to push for the spread of freedom and human rights around the world. Without the pope's leadership on these issues progress would have been much harder to come by.
In an age of increasing moral relativism and indifference, John Paul II's clear stances on life and freedom have helped give not only the Catholic church, but the world at large the direction it has needed. We can only hope that the next pope will accomplish the same thing.
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