INDEPTH: POPE JOHN PAUL II
My morning with the Pope
Dr. Michael Attridge | April 2005
Dr. Attridge is Assistant Professor of Theology at the University of St. Michael's College in Toronto.
With the death of John Paul II the world has lost a prominent figure; someone who has traveled extensively and met with more political and religious leaders then any other Pope. However, I'm not going to write here on his contributions to politics, society or theology. Instead, amid the swirl of media stories covering his life and death, and the legacy he leaves behind, I take this opportunity to share a small story about a man who took the time one morning to be with a group of people from around the world.
Ten years ago I met John Paul for the first and only time. I had been studying in Switzerland for six months with a group of church leaders and theologians. There were 55 of us, men and women, from 37 countries spread across five continents and representing about 20 different denominations. Only two of us were Catholic. It was always the tradition each year that this group be brought to Rome as special guests of the Vatican. It was also tradition that this small ecumenical group have a private audience with the Pope.
So it was, on our last day in Rome, on a warm, sunny mid-morning in February we found ourselves passing through the tight security of the Swiss guards and climbing a broad sweeping marble staircase. At the top we removed our jackets, stored our personal belongings and entered a grand hall covered with magnificent frescoes and adorned with classic works of art. I had never seen anything like it; it was breathtaking.
We sat in the rows of chairs and faced the front where there was a single chair facing us. None of us knew what to expect and so we chatted with nervous excitement among ourselves. Within a few minutes a Cardinal entered the room and explained to us what would happen next. He spoke in a very friendly, relaxed and informal way. He explained that the Pope would enter the room and sit in the chair in the front. One of us would read our letter, introducing the group and telling him something about what we had been studying. The Pope would then respond by reading his own letter of welcome. The Cardinal then said that after the formalities were over, we would be welcome to come forward, one-by-one, and speak with the Pope for a couple of minutes.
I remember that one of the Eastern Orthodox students from Romania asked if it would be okay to kiss the Pope's ring upon greeting him; a traditional and common sign of respect towards clergy with many Eastern Christians. The Cardinal responded with a smile and said, "It's not necessary. The most important thing that the Holy Father wants is for you to be comfortable. If your custom allows you to kiss his ring and you are comfortable with this, then by all means you may. Otherwise a handshake is fine."
In a few moments, the curtains drew back and the Pope was standing there in his white robe, zuchetto and wearing a pair of slippers. He slowly moved across the floor and sat down in his chair. Our representative began to read our letter. I will never forget how, instead of looking at her he looked at us. I watched as he went across the rows looking into the eyes of each of us, studying our faces and smiling with kindness. At the end, we were invited forward one-by-one. When it was my turn, I went up and shook his hand. He asked where I was from. I told him that I was a theology student at St. Michael's College in Toronto. He responded with the name of Archbishop Ambrozic, the Archbishop of Toronto. I then said that my home diocese was London, Ontario. He responded with the name of Bishop Sherlock, who was the Bishop of London at the time. Remarkable, I thought, for someone who has oversight of almost 5,000 bishops around the world. We talked a little bit about my studies and he ended by saying: "God bless you Michael. Pray for the Church." He then moved on to the next person, giving them the same amount of time and attention.
As each one of us finished, we entered another room. This time standing, we were again arranged in rows. When the Pope arrived he asked if it would be okay to have a picture with us. He then asked if we would sing with him. One of the songs we sang, well-known in many ecumenical circles, was a chant in Latin that says: "Ubi caritas et amor, Ubi caritas, Deus ibi est" ["Where there is charity and love, Where there is charity, there is God"]. When we finished, the Pope turned to an ordained Presbyterian woman from the United States who was standing to his one side. He asked her playfully: "So, do you speak Latin?." She laughed and replied, "A little bit." He then responded by asking, "Un petit peu?" The whole group laughed. Clearly he was having fun with us. He then turned to one of the Catholic Professors in our group who had organized much of our trip and said: "The group comes every year, doesn't it?" The professor responded "Yes" and the Pope continued by slapping him on the back and saying "Well, if I'm still around next year, I'll look forward to seeing you again!" With that he shuffled across the floor toward the doorway. Before he left, he turned back to us, smiled and waved goodbye. We returned to our hotel.
Everyone in our group was transformed by that event. Clearly John Paul had captured our affections by being nothing more than himself: friendly, welcoming, charming, playful and just plain interested in us. Even those who had been defensive in the days and weeks leading up to our audience had been disarmed by his kindness and hospitality.
Indeed the world has lost a major figure in the passing of John Paul II. As the stories continue to be told of his great achievements, it's important for people also to know something of his personal side.
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| PAPAL FACTS: |
Pope John Paul II led the world's Roman Catholics since he was the surprise choice of the College of Cardinals on Oct. 16, 1978.
Born in Poland on May 18, 1920, Karol Wojtyla (pronounced voy-TIH-wah) was the first non-Italian pope since Adrian VI, who died in 1523.
He was the 264th pope, and ranks among the three who have served longest, with St. Peter (32-67) and Blessed Pius IX (1846-78).
John Paul was the most travelled pope, having visited almost 130 countries and territories - including Canada, three times.
He was a conservative pope in terms of doctrine, rejecting the ordination of women, forbidding priests from marrying, backing an international campaign against same-sex unions and opposing birth control and abortion.
But he's also credited with helping end communist rule in Eastern Europe.
John Paul tried to reconcile Christians and Jews, and the Catholic and Orthodox Churches.
He declared 476 new saints and beatified 1,320 people, many more than his predecessors.
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