Pappa

I have been Catholic all my life but it wasn't until a few years ago that I really understood what this whole "pope" thing was about. I think it really hit me when I went to World Youth Day in Toronto in 2002. Hearing the words of the pope were amazing. He talked about being a light to the world, salt to the earth. He warned us about loosing our saltiness and encouraged us to live the Beautitudes - not to just live them but to give up our lives for them. He told hundreds of youth to be merciful, peacemakers, pure of heart - and we loved it. We ate it up.

One of my favorite memories about WYD is all of us chanting JPII, We love you and the pope, from his wheelchair on stage, started drumming his hands to the chant. His words to us looked beyond what the media thinks we will buy into. Why is this? Because he loves us. That is when it hit me that the pope is not just the leader of the Church, the bigwig with THE big JC, he is our Pappa. He loves us and wants to bring us closer to Jesus. How cool is that!!

I think the world will be buzzing about this man for years - I've heard him called John Paul the Great already. Whatever the case may be, I know what I will call him - just as they do on the streets of Italy. Pappa

Father ~
We pray and ask that you guide the father you have given us here on earth to the mercy of your arms, and those of your mother.