(From the issue of 4/7/05)

Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde issued the following statement upon the death of Pope John Paul II on April 2:

The news of Pope John Paul II's death brings a profound sense of loss of his presence at the human level and leaves an immense void in our Church and in our world. Throughout his life and especially during the nearly 27 years in which he has exercised the Petrine ministry, Pope John Paul II has strenuously, unfailingly and eloquently upheld the dignity of the human person from conception until natural death. His profound, indeed mystical spiritual life, his pastoral visits to the Diocese of Rome and throughout the world, his brilliant intellect coupled with his welcoming personality, his passionate defense of the truth, his ability to draw closer to Christ peoples of every culture and nation, especially the young, and his patient and persevering acceptance of the cross of physical limitation, infirmity and suffering, especially in these latter years of his pontificate: this only begins to describe the immense influence this Holy Father has had since 1978.

The priests, deacons, religious and laity of the Arlington Diocese join me in thanking the Lord for giving to the Church and the world this outstanding successor to Saint Peter, whom history will certainly call Pope John Paul the Great. Our entire diocesan family also commends his soul to Our Blessed Lord, certain that His Holy Mother Mary, to whom our Holy Father was so totally devoted, will lead Pope John Paul II to eternal glory in the presence of the Triune God.