Pope's power remains

In the last week, a lot has been written about John Paul II's charisma -- his power drew thousands, if not millions, on his historic visits to 120 countries all over the world. During the Pope's first visit to his homeland, Poland, in 1979, his words: "May the spirit come and renew the face of this land," became a real exhortation to stand up to communism. Poles did stand up and communism collapsed.

The Pope has left us, but his power still works; he can still make the impossible possible. Cuban President Fidel Castro paid his respects to the Pope and attended one of the memorial services; during the Pope's funeral, leaders of two countries that are at war, Syria and Israel, shook hands; President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), who was denied entry to most countries, received an Italian visa and, as a representative of free Taiwan, paid his respects to John Paul II.

The Pope was laid to rest, but as Cardinal Ratzinger said in his homily: "he sees us and blesses us." His power stays with us.

Hanna Shen
Poland