Pope John Paul II: A Personal Remembrance by Cong. Kucinich

[happynewyear]

Pope John Paul II: A Personal Remembrance
Dennis Kucinich, April 5, 2005

Rome 1991. I knew the City. Except for the machine-gun carrying Carbineri at Rome Fumicino Airport, and the cars whizzing by me on the autostrada at 150 kilometers per hour, Rome seemed strangely familiar. Perhaps it was the ten years studying Latin, following the exploits of Caesar, Veni, Vedi, Vici, except Caesar never had to drive his chariots in rush hour. Nor did anyone dare crowd his style along the Appian Way. Everywhere I looked cars were bumper on bumper; I did a sidewalk survey and noticed that about seven of ten cars parked along any given street had body damage. Rome was very personal like that. My friend Judy and I had come to visit the Eternal City to study the cradle of our faith. As we toured, it became clear that just as Washington is a monument to Presidents, Rome is a celebration of the Papacy.

Prior to leaving for Rome I had lunch with an old friend, Dr. Robert White, the famed neurosurgeon and physician to the Pope. I to the Pope. I told him I was soon going to be visiting Rome. He made a call to his friend at the Jesuits' headquarters in Rome and was able to arrange for a special visit to the Vatican, including attendance at a general Papal audience, Judy and I, and about five thousand other persons.

<snip>

Then my life changed. John Paul II put his hand on my head. He looked into my eyes and said in a Polish-accented English I have come to know so well in my own neighborhood: "My son, I give you my special blessing." I felt something at that moment. Whether it was a connection with his charisma or grace, I felt something, a different energy field, a buzz, my imagination? A sense of peace? I felt something. Later I would mark that bright encounter as one when conditions began to change for the better in my own life.

I thanked him in Polish. He smiled.

more ....

http://www.kucinich.us/johnpaulII_cont.php#cont




I miss you Pope John Paul II! O8)

[JohnKleeb]

1. Thats really a nice story

I didnt know Kucinich knew Polish. I miss John Paul II too btw a lot, he really was a great man, a unique man who put his life on the line agaisnt Communist tyranny of the Eastern Bloc nations and the Nazi tyranny that inflicted his nation. Didn't agree with him on abortion or gay marriage but damnit he's one of most admirable men that lived in my times. I am all for seperation of church and state but I feel its nice when a Democratic politican like Kucinich can be very open about his faith, I read an article the other day that Kerry considered Dick Durbin for his ticket, but chose not out of worry how two Catholics on a ticket would be treated by the public, and sadly his worries have a lot of merit.

[UrbScotty]

2. Post this in GD!

If people don't like it, they don't like Kucinich.

[JohnKleeb]

3. they'll still do their usual Catholic bashing

I really liked it myself, its nice to see a Democratic elected official who seems very open about his religious beliefs. Shame really that John Paul II isnt still around though, he was a hero in so many ways.

[happynewyear]

4. I agree John Kleeb

it will turn into nothing but another Catholic bash and probably a Kucinich bash as well. I was going to post this in the Kucinich forum as well, but decided against it. This is the right place for this piece of news, well the only place it can be posted, read and appreciated.

I find Cong. Kucinich's experiences with Pope John Paul II to be the types that help me maintain and even at times restore my faith in God. I too get weak at times admittedly.

However, I am glad too to see that Dennis Kucinich doesn't try to hide his faith nor does he feel that he should. Kucinich is a fine man and should be our next president. He is the only one that is capable of pulling of a miracle and being he was blessed by the late pope, that makes me even hopeful during these sad times we are witnessing, not only as Catholics but also as human beings trying to exist and find a purpose in life while attempting to stay in touch with the spiritual side of our lives.

I've become a rare poster on the DU as I have been quite upset by many of the posts I have seen since our fine pope John Paul passed away. I can only hope that Pope Benedict is able to perhaps salvage a small piece of the Catholic faith.

In the meantime, go Dennis! You've been blessed by a man that will become a saint. It makes me very happy indeed. :D

We will never forget you Pope John Paul II and neither will Cong. Dennis Kucinich.

[JohnKleeb]

5. Its true

There are others here who seriously dont get that Catholics in this country still do face a lot of crap, now those in more heavily Catholic areas may not be aware but its definely there still, and I still think its outragign that theres only been one Catholic president.