Marini remembers Karol

CEBU, Philippines - Visiting Vatican Archbishop Piero Marini yesterday shared his insights and experiences with his good friend, the late Pople John Paul II, whose canonization is already being arranged by Vatican.

In an interview with Cebu media, he said he is very happy to know that Blessed John Paul would be made saint soon.

On the final days of Karol Józef Wojty³a (real name of Pope John Paul II) as head of the Roman Catholic Church, Marini was always seen with him on official functions.

He shared to the media yesterday his last moments with the widely revered pope.

“I greeted him for the last time on (a) Thursday, one day before his death,” he said.

Marini said that that moment, Pope John Paul II could not speak anymore and only moved his hand and eyes.

Before leaving the room, Marini recalled how his friend held his hand and looked at him.

“This is what I remember so much, his hand and his eyes,” said Marini.

Pope John Paul II died in June 2005 and the Conclave elected Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who took the name Pope Benedict XVI, as his successor.

It was Pope Benedict XVI who proclaimed the late pope as “venerable” in 2009.

Pope John Paul II was beatified last May 1, 2011 after the Congregation for the Causes of Saints recorded the first miracle attributed to him, following the healing of a French nun suffering from Parkinson’s disease.

No date has been finalized yet for Blessed John Paul II’s canonization, but it is reportedly set at the end of this year or by 2014.

For Marini, he will always remember the man who is considered as one of the most influential church leaders of all time.

“I hope that Pope John Paul II would still continue to look at me from heaven and keep my hands in the right direction,” said Marini.

Known for his humility and for reaching out to all religions, Pope John Paul II has visited the country twice—in 1981 and during the World Youth Day in 1995.

In his first visit, Pope John Paul II dropped by Cebu and presided over an open-air mass at the then Lahug Airport (now the Cebu Asiatown I.T. Park) and spent the night at the Archbishop’s Residence. (FREEMAN)