Culberson Statement on the Passing of Pope John Paul II

Culberson Statement on the Passing of Pope John Paul II
04/04/05

Today I join millions of Americans and hundreds of millions of people around the world in mourning the loss of Pope John Paul II. He presided over one of the most important periods of history, and never wavered in his conviction for freedom and the sanctity of life. He exported these ideals to Eastern Europe and around the world when the godless Soviet communists were steadily expanding their empire. His first official visit to Poland in 1979 planted the seeds of the Solidarity movement which, over the next decade, would shake the foundation of the Soviet empire and lead to its collapse.

Only two of the 263 popes in the history of the Catholic Church have been called "the Great," and Pope John Paul II deserves that honor. He also deserves the Church's highest honor - sainthood.

http://www.culberson.house.gov/news.aspx?A=151