Sara Mala
Pope John Paul II is undoubtedly one of the most significant figures of the 20th century. His pontificate began on October 16, 1978, at a time when Europe was divided into the so-called "West" and "East." In the countries of the Eastern bloc, the main ideology was communism or socialism, and few believed that the situation could change, or that communistic governments in these countries could fall. John Paul II believed this, and through his stances and actions, surely aided by his fervent prayers, he contributed to the political changes that occurred in Europe at the end of the 1990s. I believe that for all his actions, whether diplomatic or otherwise, he surely sought blessings, strength, wisdom, and necessary grace from Almighty God.
His interest was not limited to Europe, from where he came and to which he felt closest, but he cared deeply about the issues of the entire world and all continents. This is evidenced by the numerous apostolic journeys he took and his behavior during these visits. From all his postures, whether during meetings with high-ranking individuals or with ordinary people, as well as during the celebration of Masses and in prayer, it was clear that he genuinely cared about them and that it was not just a pose. When he prayed, leaning on his pastoral staff, one could feel directly that the burdens and worries of the entire world rested on this man's shoulders, and how he presented them to God in prayer.
I am reminded of his unusual interest in young people, in whom he placed hope and sent the joyful message of hope in Christ to spread throughout the world. He realized that the future rested on the young and that during the life stage they were experiencing, they were making their significant life decisions. I am very glad that he established the now traditional World Youth Days, especially as I was able to attend the last one in Madrid last year. I appreciate John Paul II's personal approach to each person he met. He was able to fulfill even Christ's words to pray for one's enemies. Through his prayers, he surely contributed to the conversion of his would-be assassin.
He also supported various movements in the church; for example, he was a proponent of the Focolare Movement, about whose members or the movement itself he said: "Throughout the history of the church, there have been many people who have experienced radical love. (...) You too – Chiara, focolarini – have your way of radically living it. (...) Love opens the way. I would like this way to be increasingly open for the church thanks to you!" (August 19, 1984, at the Mariapoli Center in Rocca di Papa). On May 3, 1981, during his appearance at Familyfest in Rome, he said: "Your spirituality is open, positive, optimistic, calm, and catchy... You have even gained a pope... I said that I wish you to be a church. Now I say that I wish the church to be you." And on March 20, 1983, during the Day of the New Humanity, he said: "Often, when I am sad, focolarini come to my mind… and in that I find comfort, great comfort!" A sign of his humility was also that he exchanged the classic "we" of popes for the personal "I."
For me personally, John Paul II is a model of a person persistent in personal prayer. Despite the considerable difficulties he faced, he did not become bitter; rather, it seems his faith in those hard moments grew, gaining strength and intensity. When I saw this holy man pray, it was impossible to stop the tears – in the face of his testimony of faith, hope, love, and selflessness… With what concentration he was able to completely give himself to God, whether in moments of health and dedicating himself to the church and the whole world, as well as in the days when his illness sought to engulf him! He loved! He loved to the extreme and, in fact, laid down his life for all of us, for the church, for the world as a great community of his friends in faith and humanity. Through prayer, he was close to everyone. Every person on this planet, in my opinion, carries a great deal of suffering and moments when they truly do not know how to cope with a given situation, or with life as such. John Paul II also had many opportunities to succumb to powerlessness, but he fought and placed everything in the hands of the Almighty. His prayer already “at a glance” revealed his depth and his love for the other person. He wanted to build – not only through prayer – a more humane world, where the dignity of every person would truly grow: "Mother, receive the youth and children, receive also the sick and the lonely…”
I was struck by a quote from the book Diary of Friendship,1 where the author Wanda Póltawska wrote on February 5, 1961, the words of Father Karol from spiritual guidance: "A person can only be open before God because only God sees a person in their entirety. (...) Everything must be opened to God and oneself given entirely. (...) Do not solve things on a human level, but translate everything into God’s dimension." These quotes and more led me to one absolutely fundamental thing – as is often emphasized today – to "let God into our lives every day and open our hearts and our daily lives to him."
From the book Prayers of John Paul II2 one essential fact about the character of his prayers emerges, that he was a great Marian devotee; many of his prayers addressed the Virgin Mary with great love – that was the foundation. How much Mary was his guide through life is evident from his response at the moment he was elected pope. When he was asked on October 16, 1978, immediately after being elected by the cardinals: "Do you accept?", he replied: "Obedient in faith to Christ, my Lord, and trusting in the Mother of Christ and the Mother of the church, despite all such great difficulties, I accept."3 He subsequently began his service as Bishop of Rome and pastor of the universal church with the words:
“Do not be afraid!
Open, or rather, throw wide the gates to Christ!
Open your hearts, your lives,
your doubts, difficulties, your joys and feelings
to his saving power
and let him enter into your hearts.
Do not be afraid! Christ knows what is in a person.
Only he knows …!”
I think these words can be understood as a message to all humanity for many generations to come.
