President's
Statement on the Death of Pope John Paul II
The Cross Hall
02 April
2005 - 4:02 P.M. EST
THE
PRESIDENT: Laura and I join people across the Earth in
mourning the passing of Pope John Paul II. The Catholic Church has
lost its shepherd, the world has lost a champion of human freedom, and
a good and faithful servant of God has been called home.
Pope
John Paul II left the throne of St. Peter in the same way he
ascended to it -- as a witness to the dignity of human life. In his
native Poland, that witness launched a democratic revolution that swept
Eastern Europe and changed the course of history. Throughout the West,
John Paul's witness reminded us of our obligation to build a culture of
life in which the strong protect the weak. And during the Pope's final
years, his witness was made even more powerful by his daily courage in
the face of illness and great suffering.
All Popes belong to the world, but Americans had special reason
to
love the man from Krakow. In his visits to our country, the Pope spoke
of our "providential" Constitution, the self-evident truths about human
dignity in our Declaration, and the "blessings of liberty" that follow
from them. It is these truths, he said, that have led people all over
the world to look to America with hope and respect.
Pope
John Paul II was, himself, an inspiration to millions of
Americans, and to so many more throughout the world. We will always
remember the humble, wise and fearless priest who became one of
history's great moral leaders. We're grateful to God for sending such
a man, a son of Poland, who became the Bishop of Rome, and a hero for
the ages.
END 4:04
P.M. EST
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President
George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush walk into the Cross Hall prior to
the President giving remarks on the death of Pope John Paul II at the
White House on Saturday April 2, 2005. White House photo by Paul Morse
|
President
George W. Bush gives remarks on the death of Pope John Paul II with
First Lady Mrs. Laura Bush at the White House on Saturday April 2,
2005. White House photo by Paul Morse
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