Series: On the life of John Paul II
From 2001 - 2005 A.D.
Calling a consistory
In mid-February 2001 A.D., John Paul called a consistory, nominating forty-four new cardinals from every quarter of the globe. In the 23 years of his pontificate, 125 of the 135 cardinals (including the new ones), had been chosen by him. He had shaped the composition of these ecclesiastics who would choose the next pope. The reason he called for a consistory was his health; it was making him less capable of doing his regular tasks. He had to prepare for someone to replace him in the event of his passing away. However, despite his weak appearance, John Paul still met world leaders, appointed bishops, presided over councils, wrote new directives, delivered homilies, and addressed many audiences on various topics. He was also at this time delegating more and more responsibilities to his Secretary of State, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, and also to Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (who became Pope Benedict XVI).
September 11, 2001 A.D.
At the news of this New York tragedy, the Holy Father went immediately to his chapel to pray, "to beg for the Lord an end to such fratricidal violence." He delegated Cardinal Sodano to broadcast to the world that he was horrified at the "inhuman terrorist attacks", and that he was offering prayers for the victims, and all Americans in what he called "this dark and tragic moment". His ultimate prayer was for "the leaders of nations, that they may not be overtaken by hatred and a spirit of vengeance."
The Boston Crisis of 2002 A.D.
The eye of the storm in the Church at this time was in the USA, even though this problem was widespread in different parts of the world. The issue: abuse of minors by priests. Although many cases were cited in the United Kingdom, France, Ireland, Italy, Austria, Spain, Mexico, Australia, Canada, and parts of Africa, the USA was the focus and the chief anxiety of the Papacy of John Paul II. The consequence of these scandals: liability settlements reaching up to $500 million. It would then increase to $700 million by the summer of the year 2004 A.D. The Holy Father characterized these incidents as "mysterium iniquitatis": the mystery of the iniquity or sin. The phrase is taken from the Latin of the Vulgate edition of the Catholic Bible (2 Thessalonians 7) and speaks of the end-time and the coming of the "wicked one". With John Paul's response to this issue, responsibility was partly shifted from the individual to the presence of Satan in the world.
The Looming War on Iraq in 2003 A.D.
The USA and Britain were already amassing troops and military equipment for the planned invasion of Iraq. Pope John Paul invoked a Pope of the past (John XXIII's encyclical "Peace on Earth") to sustain his papal vision. John Paul declared: "War is never just another means that one can choose to employ for settling differences between nations". But despite this pope's pleas, the hostilities began in mid-March 2003 A.D. However, as the situation grew more and more grim in Iraq, the Vatican readily assumed a calm and realistic front.
The Silver Jubilee Celebration: Oct 16-22
On October 16, 2003 A.D., John Paul celebrated his 25 years in the pontificate. The Holy Father's transformation into a frail 83-year-old, who was wheeled into position on a mobile throne, brought sadness to many people. But despite the Pope's battle with age and illness, there was still a spirit of joy which reigned at the Mass in St. Peter's Square - the site of three major events tied to John Paul's 25th anniversary: [1] the release of a 196-page apostolic exhortation calling on all the bishops of the Church to seek peace among nations, to deal firmly and quickly with any misdeeds by the priests they supervise, and to renew the efforts to help the poor; [2] the beatification of Mother Teresa of Calcutta; [3] and the installation of 30 more cardinals in the Church's College of Cardinals. As the week of celebration drew to a close, the Pope mobile circled the plaza filled with thousands of pilgrims waving small flags of many nations at John Paul II. The Pope's triumph in his 25 years of work in mission and holiness was evident: he made the Roman Catholic Church less Roman - and much more "Catholic".
A Solemn Prayer Vigil - April 2, 2005 A.D.
The world became very distressed when it heard the sudden news of the Pope approaching his death. In the vast silence of St. Peter's Square, parents whispered in their children's ears. Many people stood transfixed, looking at the lighted window where the Pope lay dying. The word finally came, on Saturday night, "The Pope has returned to the house of the Father." The modest announcement came from Archbishop Sandri, the Vatican's undersecretary of State. A wave of grief rolled through the crowd of thousands. A single bell began to toll. The Church lost one of its great princes. With a raging fever, the 84-year-old John Paul had gone into septic shock and his blood pressure dropped dramatically. He passed away at 9:37, surrounded by physicians, nuns, staff and friends. All were praying.
John Paul II "the Great"
Many people wanted to attach the title of "the Great" to John Paul II after his passing. These are the statistics which attest to his "greatness".
- reigned for 26 years, 5 months, and 16 days
- traveled 775,231 miles on papal trips
- made 146 trips in Italy and 104 abroad
- visited 129 countries
- spent 822 days, or more than two and one half years outside the Vatican
- read more than 20,000 addresses totaling 100,000 pages
- issued more than 100 major documents
- created 1,338 saints, more than all of his predecessors in the last four centuries combined
- appointed 231 cardinals: 117 are eligible to vote for the next pope
- talked with more than 1,590 heads of state
Edited from the following sources
- The Pope Coming from the East, by Teresio Bosco, S.D.B.
- An Intimate Portrait: John Paul II, by Mark Bakermans
- The Pontiff in Winter, by John Cornwell
- Pope John Paul II: Champion of Faith, by TV Guide Magazine Group, Inc.
- Special Report: The 25 Years of Pope John Paul II, Vatican Information Service
- John Paul II: A Great Pope Passes into History, Readers Digest (June 2005)
- John Paul II: 1920-2005, Newsweek Special Double Issue (April 11/April 18, 2005)
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