His papacy lasted 26 years, 5 months, and 17 days, the third longest papacy in history. He traveled the world more than any Pope in history, visiting 129 nations during his pontificate. He was the first pope to visit the White house. He spoke latin fluently, but could also converse in Slovak, Russian, Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Ukrainian, English, and of course, his native Polish.
He presided over the largest papal gathering in history—5 million people gathered in Manila for the 1995 World Day. That is, until Pope Francis 20 years later, presided at Mass with a crowd of 6-7 million.
Pope John Paul, published the first official Catholic catechism since the Council of Trent. He had one of the most prolific pontificates in history, publishing 14 encyclicals, 15 apostolic exhortations, 11 apostolic constitutions, 45 apostolic letters and 28 motu proprios. He canonized more saints than any other Pope in history. And. he played a decisive role in the downfall of communism in eastern Europe
The list of accomplishments goes on and on. His personal holiness could be felt by those around him. If you ever had the eyes of Pope John Paul II on you, you could sense his deep love for God. He was a mystic. His prayer life, his love for God, his devotion to the Blessed Mother infused his life, and radiated from him.
At his canonization, Pope Francis said of him that John Paul II was “not afraid to look upon the wounds of Jesus, to touch his torn hands and pierced side.” He “bore witness” to Jesus’ mercy for us. John Paul instituted Divine mercy Sunday and was Canonized on Divine Mercy Sunday.
In the collect we asked God that, instructed by John Paul’s teaching, “we may open our hearts to the saving grace of Christ”. He was a prolific writer, yet his greatest teaching is in his witness to Christ. At his Beatification, Pope Benedict XVI said, John Paul “remained deeply united to God amid the many demands of his ministry.” Even as he was stripped of good health in his final months, he remained a “rock of faith”. May we learn from his example, of deeply united ourselves to God, through prayer and service, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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For the Church throughout the world, that following the example of St. John Paul II, she may fearlessly proclaim the Gospel in every nation and culture, bearing witness to Christ's mercy in our time. Let us pray to the Lord...
For all who lead and serve the Church, that like John Paul II, they may remain deeply united to God amid their ministry, finding strength in prayer and devotion to Our Lady. Let us pray to the Lord...
For world peace and justice, that through the intercession of St. John Paul II, who helped bring down the walls of division in Europe, nations may find paths to reconciliation and mutual understanding. Let us pray to the Lord...
For young people, whom John Paul II especially loved, that they may open their hearts to Christ and respond generously to God's call in their lives. Let us pray to the Lord...
For those who suffer in body or spirit, that like John Paul II in his final illness, they may unite their suffering to Christ's cross and bear witness to the dignity of human life at every stage. Let us pray to the Lord...
For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, for the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, for the deceased clergy and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.
Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord.
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