Mixed media: The legacy of Pope John Paul II

World Loss

MUSLIM OPINION: John Paul II received considerable praise in the Muslim world for his calls to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and his opposition to the United States-led war in Iraq.

The outpouring following his death reflected his standing - and the challenges for the next pontiff to even approach the achievements.

"Muslims and Christians alike have lost the Pope," said Syria's prominent Islamic cleric, Sheik Salah Keftaro.

The Pope's death "is a big loss for the Catholic Church and the Islamic world," said Sheik Sayed Tantawi, head of Egypt's Al-Azhar, Sunni Islam's respected centre of learning.

* Posted on Popeblog at http://weblogs.about.com

KOREAN PRAISE: People of different faiths also mourned the death of a man who inspired them with extraordinary faith, dignity and courage.

The Pope was not just a shepherd of the Catholic Church, he was a great leader revered by people across religious and political differences.

* The Korea Herald

SAN FRANCISCO LOCAL NEWSPAPER: Throughout his papacy, John Paul II was consistent. His strong moral compass did not waver with the changing mores of a secular society or with fluctuations in the political landscape.

He clearly spoke his mind in a manner that drew attention and admiration, even from those who may have disagreed.

John Paul's optimism, moral strength and ability to connect with the average person as well as world leaders made him arguably the most influential spiritual leader of the 20th century, as well as one of the most beloved.

He will be missed by billions.

* http://www.contracostatimes.com

COLLEGE NEWSPAPER: At a time in our country when the culture of death seems pervasive throughout society, Pope John Paul II has, by example, displayed the inherent worth and abilities of humankind.

When dealing with internal church scandal, he called sexual abuse by clergy "an appalling sin in the eyes of God".

He has also been a true testament to a culture of life, especially in requesting greater respect for the sanctity of human life - from conception to death.

He has been morally consistent in his high esteem of all human life, absolutely opposing not only abortion and euthanasia, but also the death penalty and all war.

In short, Pope John Paul II has truly cemented the high moral standing of the church.

* The Daily Aztec, San Diego State University

Myth-Making

US BLOGGER: Isn't it interesting on some level that so many are grieving the passing of a man whose lecturing on critical areas of the faith they ignore and violate?

A Polish citizen was just quoted on MSNBC saying he doesn't believe in priests and churches but he believes in the Pope and is grieving his passing. It's puzzling ...

A visitor from outer space who is watching this coverage might be forgiven for thinking the Pope somehow ruled the world in some way and that the vast majority of the world's inhabitants were adherents to his religion.

* Posted by Keith Gottschalk on http://blogcritics.org

BRITISH COMMENTATOR: It's acknowledged he was "socially conservative", but that phrase is misleading - he was socially bloody medieval. Gays, abortion, contraception and masturbation weren't just wrong, they were an abomination punished with eternal damnation.

The dark side of these attitudes is that the more you repress sexuality as "sinful" the more it bursts out in genuinely depraved ways.

Not only is the Roman Catholic Church at the centre of a huge child-abuse scandal, the Pope went to enormous lengths to cover that scandal up.

* Mark Steel in The Independent

AMERICAN VIEW: This champion of freedom brooked no dissent, and his travels sought not only to minister to the faithful but also to make the church more disciplined, hierarchical and orthodox.

Later, as his health deteriorated, he turned much of the responsibility for church affairs over to subordinates who lacked his authority and moral stature.

That problem became painfully obvious during the crisis over sexual-predator priests toward the end of the Pope's tenure.

* New York Times editorial

HOSTILE BLOGGER: John Paul II leaves a church that has 26 years of exceptionally conservative rule by a man not given to organising skill.

The church faces a crisis of direction and will suffer a crisis of leadership if old policies are left to just run themselves.

Marriage in the clergy, women in the church, better conditions for monks and nuns, less vertical structure and more lay involvement are just the tip of the troubles that wait for the new Pope, who had damn well better be ready to lead.

* Boilerman10 on http://thinkprogress.org