Just to address the "what did he do?" question, don't forget that he was a Polish clergyman at a time when Poland was a communist country under the influence of the former U.S.S.R. It was risky to speak out against the oppression there, and speak he did. Poland and East Germany were among the first places the monolithic Soviet Union started to fall apart, and we should remember that religious freedom was one of the main rallying points, and that John Paul was right there in the middle of the controversy, when he was a bishop.

He was critical of all totalitarian activities, including our own (U.S.A.) at times. As the spokesman and titular head of the church, he was a representative of millions of people who believe in positive values and morality. However misguided at times, religious values are among the few organized systems opposed to the sort of things we regard as "evil"; totaliarianism, slavery, genocide, etc. Sort the conscience of the race. I think he did a good job in that respect. In some ways a chruch or faith is a nation, and he was a good "head of state".

How about a Jewish Pope this time, what do you think? (rim shot).

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