Sat 2 Apr 2005
These have been two sad days, with the global death watch for the John Paul II, with all TV channels showing live images from Vatican, Poland and around the world.
The good news of this day is that he is not suffering anymore – and that so many people were able to unite in peace, good motives and extending good wishes for the Pope. These moments of unity are his farewell.
His death would be much more tragic for Poland than for the Catholic Church. All popes so far died, among them many great and important, yet the Church caries on. There would be next Pope, but surely he won’t be Polish. So his death somehow marks the end of the historic window of opportunity which opened for this small European country when he was elected. After all, when he was the Pontiff, every Catholic on Earth at least knew Poland exists – this knowledge will now gradually fade out.