Press Releases 2005

Pope John Paul II

On behalf of the Embassy of the United States of America, Ambassador Victor Ashe extends his deepest condolences to the people of Poland on the passing of Pope John Paul II today.

Pope John Paul II was a great son of Poland and a great world statesman, whose leadership transformed his native land, his world, and his Church. Karol Wojtyła’s inspirational prayer in 1979 in Warsaw for a renewal of “the face of the earth” has been amply answered in the democratic transformations that swept Poland and Central and Eastern Europe as well as in the continuing aspirations of people around the world for a more democratic and just society. No one could have imagined in 1978, when he became the first non-Italian Pope in 455 years, how fundamentally different the world would look at the end of his pontificate.

An ardent champion of human rights and an articulate exponent of personalistic humanism, Pope John Paul II significantly advanced the frontiers of freedom during his 26 years in the papacy. A genuine intellectual, his original contributions to philosophy and Catholic theology span numerous books and hundreds of articles.

His prolific mind was matched by his indefatigable energy and charisma. He conducted over 100 pilgrimages throughout the world. Americans recall with great affection his pilgrimages to the United States. Through his “ministry of presence,” the humble son of a soldier from Wadowice brought one of the oldest and most distinguished offices in the world to the reach of millions of people in every corner of the globe.

The death of Pope John Paul II, a loss to the world, is a special loss to his beloved homeland. His service as Archbishop of Kraków endeared him to the people of that city and diocese, believers and non-believers alike. His years of patient teaching as a faculty member of the Catholic University of Lublin brought him the respect and love both of his peers and his students.

The citizens of Nowa Huta will remember their Archbishop whose stubborn persistence guaranteed them a church in their town in which to worship.

The bells of Wawel toll today for a great man. The “shoes of the fisherman” will be hard to fill, and Karol Wojtyła’s loss will be especially felt in Poland. His pontificate will be felt for generations. May he rest in peace!