Although I've had long-running problems with the Catholic church,

[Redstone]

I'll be sad when the Pope dies. I did not agree with much of his dogma, but he did great good for many people, especially in promoting social change around the world and particularly in eastern Europe.

He is / was a good man at heart, and will be missed.

I'm sure there wil be people who sill post snotty remarks when he dies. Please just ignore them if / when you see them.

Redstone

[jswordy]

1. I am not a practicing Catholic anymore but I am sad...

...both about his apparently imminent passing, and about the absolute crudity I have read in every single GD and LBN thread on this site about John Paul II's coming death.

It's even worse with John Paul II than it was with Schiavo, and I remain amazed at what passes the filter here as OK vs. what gets blocked. I pray for those people who make fun of another's suffering, and I hope when their time comes, a gaggle of smartasses won't be cracking jokes as they suffer toward their demise. This is crudity in its worst form. It's sickening.

My prayers do go out for John Paul II, who steadily guided his Church for more than 26 years, whether I agree with the direction he took it or not. And my prayers, as always, go out to all on this Earth who are suffering through their final moments in this mortal life.

[Cuban_Liberal]

2. Thank you both.

He may not have been the 'perfect pope', but he is the only one many of us have ever known, and he has guided our Church through uncertain times with amazing courage and steadfastness. He will be sorely missed.

[SeanQuinn]

3. We practicing Catholics do appreciate it.

And death and sickness brings us all together. Thank you so much, to both of you, for your support in this tough time.