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April 4 , 2005
[Have an opinion about the issues discussed in this article?
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By
Ben Murray
Stars & Stripes, European Edition
DARMSTADT, Germany — U.S. military members serving in the Middle East and Europe reflected on the legacy of Pope John Paul II on Sunday with a mix of sympathy for the venerated leader and contemplation on the future of the post he held for 26 years.
Some troops attended Mass on Sunday, where chaplains discussed the pope's life and his death Saturday at age 84.
Army Capt. Mary Beth Thompson, 27, of Philadelphia, the assistant logistics officer for the 3rd Infantry Division's Aviation Brigade at Camp Taji, Iraq, attended Catholic school growing up and went to Mass on Sunday morning.
“At various points, we prayed for the Holy Father's soul and that he rest in peace. We gave thanks for all he's done.”
Despite John Paul II's frail condition over the past decade, when he battled illnesses and Parkinson's disease, he remained a great example for everyone in the church, Thompson said.
“He still traveled the world. He tried to do everything he could until the day he died to make the world a better place. He was the right pope at the right time.”
At Naval Support Activity Naples, Seaman Apprentice Brenden Carmody, a Catholic, described the pope's reign as “monumental.”
“He was very influential in the fall of communism, but because of his responsibility as head of the church, he couldn't condone military action but he didn't necessarily condemn it either,” said Carmody, a 19-year-old religious program specialist who sets up the chapel before services.
“He realized that democracy is a very important thing and realized it was the most peaceful way for a nation to live,” said Carmody, of LaGrange, Ky.
Second Lt. Kevin Sturm, 22, of the 32nd Signal Battalion in Darmstadt, Germany, said the succession of a religious post with such extensive political connections will be significant even for non-Catholics.
“What will be really interesting is who they choose for a new pope and what kind of political leanings he has,” Sturm said.
Officials in chaplains offices said Saturday that the passing of the Catholic leader would have a considerable spiritual impact on the military community.
“He has been supportive of our role,” said Chap. (Col.) Vincent Inghilterra, U.S. European Command's head chaplain, recalling stories of soldiers and sailors on leave visiting Rome and being recognized by the pope for their “work of peace.”
“He's been there for us,” Inghilterra said.
Two Roman Catholic soldiers at Forward Operating Base MacKenzie in Ad-Daluiyah, Iraq, said John Paul was an exceptional pope.
Spc. Jason Hawtin of Jacksonville, Fla., and 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, noted that the pope lived in Poland while it was occupied by Nazis and, later, by Russians. That, Hawtin said, helped make him a humble man who later became a compassionate pope.
“He led the church into places where there wasn't a strong Christian base,” said Hawtin, a chaplain's assistant. The pope traveled to Russia, Cuba and other places where freedom of religious expression is not always welcomed, he said.
Master Sgt. Brian Allen of St. Louis and the 1-15th said the pope's lingering illness reminded him of his father's lengthy battle with health problems.
“I was in the [dining facility] and they showed a clip of the pope making an appearance at his window,” Allen said. “He was trying to speak but he couldn't speak at all. So all he could do was give the sign of the cross to the people.
“I was sorry to see him die because of all he has accomplished, but I didn't want to see him suffering,” Allen said.
In addition to memorial prayers, Catholic churches usually follow certain customs with the passing of a pope, said Chap. (Capt.) Paul Passamonti, Catholic community chaplain for the 6th Area Support Group, based in Stuttgart.
Traditionally, at the first Mass after a pope's death, church bells are tolled once for each year of the pope's life and once for each year of his service as pope, a total of 110 times for John Paul II, he said.
Churches throughout the military also will likely follow the Catholic custom of displaying a picture of the pope near the traditional Easter candle, and hang church entrances with red linen for nine days in his memory.
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