William H. Frist: “Today, this body, the Senate, and the world community grieve for the passing of Pope John Paul II. He passed away…”

“Today, this body, the Senate, and the world community grieve for the passing of Pope John Paul II. He passed away Saturday evening, April 2, in his bed overlooking St. Peter's Square. Millions of Catholics and non-Catholics alike mourn the departure of one of the greatest spiritual leaders and moral teachers of the modern era. Pope John Paul set an extraordinary example of personal integrity and courage, not only for his fellow Catholics but for people of every religious and philosophical viewpoint. Pope John Paul was born Karol Joseph Wojtyla on May 18, 1920, in Poland, a country which at the time was a desolate, impoverished, and war-torn place. By the time John Paul reached the age of 21, every close member of his family had died. Most people would have been devastated by such losses. But for John Paul, this early experience of suffering deepened his spirituality and his capacity to find meaning in man's frailty. John Paul was ordained as a priest at the age of 26. In 1964, he became the Bishop of Krakow. Three years later, he was elevated to cardinal by Pope Paul VI. In 1978, he became the first non-Italian in 455 years to be elected Pope of the Catholic Church. For the next 2 1/2 decades, Pope John Paul campaigned tirelessly for human rights and dignity throughout the world.”