Drudge is reporting that Pope John Paul II has died. Like many Protestants, I regarded the man with some degree of admiration and his office with some degree of skepticism. But all theological differences aside, he was a man of rare courage and forthright conviction who stood firmly for what he believed to be right. The Roman Catholic Church will be fortunate indeed if its cardinals are able to find a man of similar caliber to serve as his successor.
UPDATE – The Pope was reported as saying to Italian TV reporters: “I’m not dead yet!”
UPDATE II – Requiscat in pace….