Why a Grandfather Will Never Be Pope

Shortly more than 30 years ago, Pope John Paul died. Not the Polish Pontiff, but the original John Paul. I have written in previous posts my memories of Pope John Paul. I remember four popes in my life. I was born in the early days of Pope Paul VI and was old enough to have many memories of this pope. He was very bright and and excellent diplomat, but he had a sense of being detached. Pope John Paul II was the Ronald Reagan of popes. He was the great communicator, almost a showman. We are all still trying to figure out Pope Benedict XVI.

I had the chance to view some short videos that were developed to remember Pope John Paul. He was the Pope that didn't seem like a Pope. In one video, he was brought into the audience hall on a chair that was carried by four men. He seemed very uncomfortable. However, when he got to his chair on the stage, he seemed very comfortable. He usually spoke without notes. He seemed like he was not being "handled" or "choreographed". He had a somewhat soft and high-pitched voice. He looked and acted like a congenial grandpa. Maybe the stress of not being able to continue to be that congenial grandpa led to a short reign as pontiff.