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April 01, 2005 ( Friday, April 01, 2005 ) Today is a sad day. As a catholic, this day is one that is hard to face. In case you haven't heard, the pope is in the last stage of his life, many speculating that he has only hours left before he passes away. It's strange to watch the news and to hear what they have to say. I always thought that the pope was indestructable. I think what I failed to see was that he was chosen as a physical embodiment, a messenger to the people. He is still a human, he is still someone just like us. I find it very powerful to see that even in the last moments of his life, he refuses to give up, fighting with dignity and grace. He is a role model, showing strength in a frightening and painful time. I must admit I have had a distance with religion in the past year or so, but the relationship that I have in my spirit and in my heart, is one that remains strong. I realize that I may not be the picture of an ideal catholic, but I feel that I have a relationship that is just as meaningful and just as powerful as the next person. I don't tend to talk a lot about religion, it's a very delicate topic to me, but I feel that because this is such an important event, that I let my feelings out. Some may not understand what all of this means, some might not see the signifigance. Having the leader of your religion pass away is an emotional and difficult time. I had always hoped to one day see the pope at World Youth Day. My mom and my older brother made the pilgrimage to Denver, Colorado when he visited there and I can tell that it was a life-changing event. I had planned to go to Rome a few years ago, but we couldn't afford it. To me, this pope is THE pope. His successor by name and responsibilty will as well be pope, but in my heart and in my mind, it's not the same. This quote by a representative of the Vatican, said today on CNN struck me as very powerful: "Tonight, Christ opens his door for John Paul II" Feeling:  
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