I am not Catholic nor am I Christian, but I'd just like to take a moment to say that I pray for the Pope and wish him a speedy journey to his eternal light.

That's it.

Indeed, I may not of agreed with him on many issues, but still, its sad to see someone who was so active reduced to what he was a few years ago.

Well he passed today, and now begins the process of electing a new one.

The coming years will be a crucial time for the Church. John Paul II did a good job of preserving the integrity of the Church while taking steps (albeit small and slow ones) towards adapting the Church to the needs of the modern world.

As the world continues to grow, advance, and change, and as the Church continues to face any number of crises (internal and external the institution), strong, wise leadership will certainly be needed.

He was a good man. He did everything he could to reach out to those of us with different religions - something many Popes of the past never even thought of doing.

One of his most poignant moments was putting the prayer for forgiveness in a crevasse at the Western Wall. Such a thing would be unheard of before JP II.

I also really dig the pic of him kissing the Qur'an. :D

He's going to be a tough act to follow, that's for sure.

Good Bloke, goodbye.