John Paul II in everybody's heart

Rome is coming out from the peacefulness due to the massive exodus of its inhabitants. As it happens every year, pilgrims were not scared by the hot roman summer. Nevertheless, the year 2003 is different. There is an air of celebration. It is the 25th anniversary of the election of Cardinal Karol Wojtyla as the 263rd successor to St. Peter, Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Christ.

It is a year of memories. A hundred years have passed since the Pontificate of Leo XIII. The memory of Pope Paul VI has been present, twenty five years after he was called to God's presence. After him John Paul I was elected. The entire world came to a halt, absorbed in uncertainty, when the Pope of the smile was called by the eternal Father. Only a month had passed since his election. 2003 has been full of commemorations and books that have recalled the life of these great men of God of the 20th century.

"I have been called from a far away land, far away but always close in the communion of faith and Christian tradition", said in a firm voice a man dressed in white, who appeared at the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. The year 1978 witnessed the election of the first non Italian Pope in 455 years. I present myself before all of you to confess our common faith, our hope, our faith in the Mother of Christ and of the Church. From the "semper fidelis" of his native Poland to the Marian "Totus tuus" of his emblem, John Paul II's pontificate could be defined as an extraordinary encouragement all over the world of faith, hope and charity.

Since his visit to Latin America in 1979, the words "Tu es Petrus" have echoed throughout the world in the Pope's multiple visits. Undoubtedly John Paul II is the person who most people have personally seen. His evangelizing thrust has taken him to wherever place he may visit. He has always aimed for a correct application of the Second Vatican Council. His tireless encouragement to find the human being's true identity in Christ has been an inspiration to people in anguish and in flight. It is worth being man, because You have become man, he exclaimed in the Jubilee of Youth in 1984. Open the doors to the Reedemer, has been his constant call.

Since the beginning of his Pontificate he has fostered the human being and a correct hierarchy of values. In a world the suffers a tragic process through which people give up their humanity, the voice of the Church raises everywhere in defense of life, dignity, freedom and all the human rights. John Paul II illuminates the reality of the person from the wonder produced in him by the Gospel and its light.

Obviously, this is not shared by everybody. Illuminism and secularism are very active. Functional agnosticism grows even among those who confess themselves Christians. Many want to silence and distort the labor of the Church. Persecution and calumny against the Church and her sons has increased as she has become a stronghold in defense of human dignity. The assassination attempt against the Pope in 1981 is a symbol of this. And certainly, John Paul II knows it.

As Vicar of Christ John Paul II has led the Church towards the uncertain sea of the 21st Century. Before the difficulties, he calls not to be afraid. He urges the wavering: "Duc in altum". He preaches with zeal that the true human fulfillment passes though the path of holiness. Everything in him, yesterday with vigor and today through his physical frailness, announces to the entire world: Jesus is the Reconciler. Follow Him!