One thing I will say about the pope...

I think that for all his faults, Pope John Paul II had one redeeming attribute: He lived by Jesus' words "Turn the other cheek".

He showed an immensity of spirit when he forgave and befriended the man who tried to kill him.

It may not completely balance out his destructive stand on abortion, contraception and alternative insemination, but I think it went a very long way towards that end.

Rest in peace, Karol.