To many University of Memphis students, yesterday was justThursday, but to Catholics around the world, yesterday marked the25th anniversary of Pope John Paul II's leadership of the CatholicChurch.
Pope John Paul II is already the third-longest reigningpontificate in Roman Catholic history, and more than half of theworld's Catholics have grown up never knowing another pope.
He is the first non-Italian pope and had a great deal to do withbringing about the fall of Communism, particularly in his nativePoland. He is also known for his teachings against abortion and thedeath penalty, his traditionalist sexual morality and his 102 tripsto foreign countries.
"It is nice to have the Pope institute his policies and beingable to be in office that long gives us stability to the CatholicChurch," said Father Eric Peterson of St. Mary's CatholicChurch.
One of the reasons Pope John Paul II has been such aninfluential leader is because he has brought so much worldawareness to the Catholic Church and what its mission means to theworld.
"He has traveled so much, has made himself so well-known aroundthe world, and since he speaks so many languages, he is able tocommunicate with many cultures," said James Schmall, administrativeassistant at The University of Memphis Catholic Center.
Most popes are known to remain in Vatican City, but John Paul IIhas been to every continent and has visited more places than all ofthe other popes combined.
For example, the Catholic population in Asia has grown 80percent under his pontification and 170 percent in Africa.
Even though he is 83 years old, John Paul has had a tremendouseffect on the outreach to youth, said Deacon Charles Wells,chancellor of the Diocese of Memphis.
"He recognizes that the future rests on the youth of today andhe has a charismatic ability to convey that to the youth," saidWells. "He has a way of commanding their respect."
Hundreds of thousands of youth come to see him from all over theworld at World Youth Day, which is held once a year in a chosencountry. He asks especially for the youth to pray for him duringthe celebration, said Wells. "He has been very pivotal in his reignas pope."
The Pope is traced back to the Bible through Peter, when Petermade his profession of faith that Jesus was the son of the livingGod and Jesus responded in a unique way.
The Bible says Jesus declared to Peter that he was a rock and onthis rock He would build His church. Peter was given the keys ofthe kingdom and what he bound on Earth would be bound in heaven andwhat he loosed on earth would be loosed in heaven. After confirminghis love for the Lord three times, Peter had no doubt about hisauthority or responsibility since it was given to him directly fromChrist.
The authority of Peter has been passed on to his successors forabout 2000 years in order to have an authoritative teacher asChrist's representative here on earth.
"We see the Pope as a successor of Peter, or Jesus' right-handman," said Peterson. "The Catholic Church is the only church thatcan trace our lineage directly to Peter -- that is something veryunique to us."
