The Pope -- My Kin

As an American of Polish descent, I feel a certain kinship towards Pope John Paul II. Although I can no longer consider myself a Roman Catholic, I was still moved by the man and his deep spiritual commitment. I mean.... you could feel it. When you saw him on TV, you knew he was not bluffing. He really lived his spirituality. If for no other reason, you had to admire the man for that alone.

The fact that he made ground-breaking gestures of reconciliation towards Jews and Muslims only heightens his stature. The fact that he endured occupations under both the Nazis and the Russians only legitimizes his role as a man of suffering. The fact that he helped end Communist rule in Poland (and by extrapolation all of Eastern Europe), only strengthens his status as a liberator. He was a good man. He was, dare I say it, a great man.

Long live Pope John Paul II.