The Pope Has Died: Pope John Paul II 1920-2005

The Life of Pope John Paul II

Popes of the Catholic Church: 264 Histories

Simon, known as Peter, was the first head of the Catholic Church. If you know the story of Christ, Peter was an apostle, brought to Jesus by his brother Andrew. He was a fisherman as was his brother. Aside from the miracle on the mount, where Jesus multiplied the fish and bread to feed the multitudes, the fact that these apostles were fisherman in the Sea of Galilee has led to the common term for priests and other religious leaders as "fishermen of men's souls".

Simon, also called Peter, was the apostle who carried the sword in the garden when the soldiers from the temple came to take Jesus away. Simon struck off the ear of one of the soldiers and Jesus heals the soldier and tells Simon to put away his sword.

Later, Simon called Peter, fulfilled Jesus's prophesy by denying Jesus three times before the cock crowed.

But, it was Peter who later led the church to its first expansion, urging the other apostles to spread the word. He was captured and taken to Rome upon his demand that he was a Roman citizen and could only be tried there. While he waited in Rome, Peter wrote many letters to the church's followers, urging them to follow the example of Jesus, to obey authority, but always do what was good and right.

Peter was crucified upside down in Rome.

Here you can read the rights and rituals of the Papal succession Papal Succession

This paragraph explains the first acts:

When the Pope dies, the head of the Sacred College of Cardinals, or Camerlengo, verifies the death. Standing over the deceased, he calls the pontiff by his baptismal name three times. Upon receiving no response, he announces the death and arranges for the Fisherman's ring -- inscribed with the name of the reigning pope -- and papal seal to be broken. Later, another ring will be made for the newly elected pope.

The Pope has died. The world mourns a great man, a servant of the people, a man of peace and good will.

There are three messages I always find comfort in. The first is that there is life after death and that the Son of God raises us up with him to heaven.

Ephesians 2:6

He also raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavens, in Christ Jesus,

John 6:39

This is the will of Him who sent Me: that I should lose none of those He has given Me but should raise them up on the last day.

The second message reminds us that we should not be sad or "lament" the passing of a loved one, but should rejoice that they will now be in God's presence.

John 16:20

Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

And the last message:

John 16:22

And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

The promise of meeting again.

Until then, we will miss a good man. Let's hope those who come after him have half his will, his stamina and his love of God and peace.