The New Nation - Internet Edition

When the day appears of April 2 the day Pope John Paul II died in 2005, it reminds us his legacy and holy life style spent in his longest pontificate period of time. Pope John Paul II is the only leader who kissed the ground when he arrived any country. During his pontificate the Pope visited more than 100 countries. Pope showed the world to love people and mother earth. Human beings are so intimated with the nature. Every people are connected with the ground and Pope had a sense of feelings of loving people and nature of this earth.

Pope was a leader wherever he traveled he spoke against war, fascism, communism, dictatorship, materialism, abortion, relativism, unrestrained capitalism, divorce, and what he deemed the culture of death…. Pope is often credited as one of the non-political forces, which contributed to collapse communism in Central and Eastern Europe. Pope John Paul II never compromised with any war and injustice during this long time papacy. His powerful message was that war can not bring peace on this earth. His legacies were to love, serve, forgiveness, faithful to God that rebuild the world more peaceful. At the beginning of his papacy and in the new year of 1979, the first message for the world of peace, he said, "To reach peace, teach peace." Pope encouraged and inspired people to ask and grant forgiveness because it is by its nature liberating. Forgiveness, in its truest and highest form, it is a free act of love. But precisely because it is an act of love, it has its own intrinsic demands, which is respect for the truth.

Pope's inspiration was very powerful to the world young people. Till today millions of people throughout the world, especially youth can not forget his love, care, and wisdom that he had showed to the world and young people. His one of the legacies of "Youth Day" celebration that has inspired positively youngster's life; he has showed them light of life, and new hope of their gift of life. Pope's messages and his blessings brought positive changes in the inner life of many young people across the world. He said, "The youth are the hope and future of not just the Church, but also the world." He knew and understood deeply that youth can change the world positively. Youth have talent, strength, spirit, and power. Pope always said that, "Youth is a marvelous gift of God. It is a time of special energies, special opportunities, and special responsibilities; Christ and the Church need your special talents. Use all the gifts the Lord has given you." In order to emphasise youth life, in March, 1985 he wrote in his Dilecti Amici that, "In you there is hope, for you belong to the future, just as the future belongs to you." Today, every nation and world need smart, skilled, dedicated, committed, morally good young people and leaders who can make a difference, make a better nation and world. Every young people can be a model being enlightened themselves. As Pope said that, "God wants you … All of you … to be light to the world, as only young people can be light. It is time to let your light shine! It is the time for action is now."

Nirmal L. Gomes

The Catholic University of America,

Washington, DC, USA)