KAROL WOJTYLA (1920) – POPE JOHN PAUL II

Motif: Photograph by Gabriel Bouys (photo France Presse) FAREWELL TO THE EARTH Pope John Paul II has found himself in Croatia for the fourth time. This time it is to stay here forever, strewn in love all over it and the whole world as dust in resplendent rays. Such enormous devotion to a human being has so far never been shown. If one was to look for an explanation for this unanimity it would be easy to find it in the readable virtues of his exemplary biography. John Paul II with his exceptional characteristics was made the first Polish bishop at the age of thirty-seven (1958), to become archbishop (1964), cardinal (1967) and finally pope at only fifty-eight years of age. The first pope of Slav origin, coming from the communist world, experienced life in all its different forms. He was a worker in a quarry, a poet, was involved in the theatre, loved sport throughout his life. Not an abstract clerk in religion, but a man with a soul, body and all its experience. His Christian offer was opening the borders of religions and nations to love for one’s fellow creature. He was just, tolerant, consistent, ready for humility and forgiveness. Never turning a blind eye to anything, gentle to everything and everyone, he kept knocking on people’s conscience, trustworthily and constantly, pulling down ideological barriers and denouncing misuse of power. He perceived his mission as the maintenance of highest ideals and criteria, and has never given up on his theses, at the same time having an understanding for the hardships of individual lives. Croatia owes this Pole from White Croatia the staunchest support in their aspirations for survival, identification and affirmation – in all the things unstained and just. Likewise, we owe him for his warnings that should be forever remembered. It was three times that he visited our land (in 1994, 1998 when he beatified cardinal Stepinac, and in 2003). However, all the data of his exemplary biography can explain the unanimous esteem, but there was something necessary to produce this quantity of love that is accompanying the Pope’s demise. The man who had invested all his strength for the common good has become almost superhuman when he had overcome his suffering and weakness. The continued spending himself like a burning candle to the very last moment, lighting up the path to the elevated world of goodness – the path that can begin only in every person’s heart. What he left behind is the holy trail.