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TWenty-six years of Pope John Paul II

One of the longest Pontificate
IN the afternoon of 14" October 1978, ten days after the funeral of Pope John Paul I, 110 Cardinal electors, entered into conclave, sealed off from the world, to elect his successor. On 16'" October 1978, white smoke appeared from the small chimneys of the Sistine Chapel, thus signaling that the Cardinal electors had chosen a new Pope. About half an hour later, Cardinal Felici, appeared on the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica and announced the election of Pope John Pau! II to the See of St. Peter, who officially began his pastoral ministry on 22" October 1978.
Cardinal Karol Jozef Wojtyla, Archbishop of Krakow, Poland, since his election to the papacy, is known as "John Paul II". He is the 264th successor of St. Peter and is the "Holy Father" to the world's billion Catholics. Undoubtedly, his election surprised more than one person: the Pope is not Italian! And so it was. His pontificate is now the second longest in the history of the Church, excluding that of St.
Peter. The longest is that of Pope Pius IX (1846-1878: 31 years, 7 months and 17 days). The other longest in the order of duration are: Pope Leo MH (1878-1903:25 years, 4 months and 17 days), Pope Pius VI (1775-1999: 24 years and 6 months), Pope Hadrian I (772-795: 23 years 10 months), Pope Pius VII (1800-1823: 23 years 5 months). Pope Alexander III (1159-1181: 21 years, 11 months and 10 days) and Pope Leo I, Leo the Great (440-461:21 years and 42 days).
Pope John Paul II, as "Good Shepherd" does not hesitate to take his pilgrim's staff in one hand and the Gospel in the other in order to go and meet the people. Yes, in the foot steps of Pope Paul VI, he has put the pastoral method of human contact in the prime place, crossing oceans, and rivers, mountains and hills meeting the fog head on, so as to carry the flame of Good News. Over the years, he has undertaken more than one hundred international pastoral visits. Besides, he has made about 150 trips within Italy and more than seven hundred within the city
and the diocese of Rome.
In Vatican, the Pope welcomes an average of one million people per year including between 400-500, 000 who attend the weekly general audience, in addition to those who come for special liturgical functions such as Christmas and Easter Masses, beatifications and canonizations. He also receives approximately 150-180,000 people per year in audiences granted to particular groups, heads of State and Governments.
Pope John Paul II during his pontificate has also created many Cardinals and Bishops from all over the world. He has met each of them a number of times over the years, particularly when they fulfill their quinquennial obligation of a visit 'ad limina Apostoiorum". He has written many Encyclicals, dozens of Apostolic letters,
Exhortations and hundred of messages and letters.
On the International scene. Pope John Paul II has attracted crowds of people. The "Pope of the Youth" during these past twenty-six years, has given special attention to young people through "World Youth Days" and other International meetings. Young people have always felt at ease with him, not withstanding his mature age.
Pope John Pal II is a man of Peace and Dialogue and has inspired many, with the idea of universal brotherhood. The day after the tragic episode of 11" September 2001 in the United States, he strongly condemned all violence committed in God's name. And in the recent Iraqi crisis, he never ceased his interventions in favour of a negotiated solution, banning any form of recourse to war. Over the
years, he has also engaged himself In opening up to the others in a perspective of respect and communion and has p ro moteA a spirit of dialogue among the Nations and the Religions of the world. He has put his sincere efforts to make aware the followers of the different religions that a relationship with the one God. the common Father of all, cannot fail to bring about a greater sense of human brotherhood and a more fraternal life together. The Pope is evermofe confident that the mutual openness between the followers of the various religions can greatly serve the cause of peace and the common good of the human family. Celebrating his anniversary today, let us pray and hope that his untiring efforts for peue and harmony in the world may soon bear much fruit.