GenRev Loves JP2! (1920-2005)
A Tribute to His Holiness
PART 1
"JP2"
John Paul II and the Youth

Forty eight hours before the Lord finally opened the doors of heaven for Pope John Paul II, thousands of people flocked around the papal residence where their beloved Holy Father remained bed ridden, weak, yet amazingly tranquil. The massive crowd was a sea of faces, people from all walks of life, united in prayer and held together by their strong love for the pope. Yet despite the diversity, one thing seemed to have remained constant and very overt - a huge bulk of the crowd consisted of the youth, young people bursting with a rather different kind of love for the fragile pontiff. A love that was very serene yet intense, and passionate.

"I am definitely a huge fan of the Pope, that's why I'm here, to honor him" answered a strapping, 21-year old American during an interview just hours after a Mass in honor of the late pope was held at the St. Peter’s Basilica. An English lad, at the same time, cried out, "JP2 is beyond staggering, man!" During World Youth Days, young people would continuously chant their famous "JP2, we love you!" chant until their tonsils fell off. They didn’t care if they woke up with really sore throats the following morning. All that mattered to them was being able to express their burning love for the pope the best way they can - the pope who loved them just as much, or probably even more than they could ever imagine.

What is it about the late pontiff that drew young people to him in such a strong way? Perhaps it's because, given their age, Pope John Paul II was the only pope they had ever known. Or perhaps it was because of how this busy Church leader still never failed to miss a single World Youth Day event. There may be numerous reasons, but for the young, it goes even deeper than just an external knowledge of him or his perfect attendance at the said youth rallies.

JP2 loved the youth like no other, and he was able to express this love in numerous World Youth Day gatherings, Eucharistic celebrations, and even official apostolic letters. In his Second Vatican Council, the pope expressed how he looked to the youth "with confidence and with love", believing that the hope of what’s yet to come lies in the hearts of these young people, that they are ones who are to "form the society of tomorrow". He considered young souls and their youthfulness as "special treasures" that can be used for God's greater glory. He remained confident in the ability of these young souls to face the many challenges that await them in the future, constantly and ever so lovingly encouraging them to fearlessly conquer it all with Christ, who, like their beloved pope, looked and will forever look upon them with an unmatched love.

In short, young people are drawn to this Church leader because he believed in them. He believed in their potential. He believed in their talents. He believed that being young was what made them God’s greatest treasure and the world’s biggest blessing.

For the young, they saw a loving father and a perfect friend in Pope John Paul II. He will forever remain, not just an inspiring leader and role model, but a significant individual who believed 110% in them, a man of courage, a great source of strength, a teacher, a loving father, a true friend, and most of all, an individual they once loved very dearly who at the same time loved them just as intensely.