Pope John Paul II

John Paul II was one of the great world leaders of the 20th/21st Century. His daring support for the church in Poland weakened the hold of godless Communism. He reached out around the world. He even got Fidel Castro to invite him to Communist Cuba.

He astounded the world by the attraction of young people to him. The Pope a star? For teenagers?

And he held the line on the established Catholic values, despite the insistence of American and European leaders that the faith be updated, that is, watered down.