Pope's popularity doesn't always translate into adherence to teaching

Published: 2003-10-16

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II's worldwide popularity was obvious as government officials, journalists and the faithful converged on the Vatican to celebrate his 25th anniversary as pope. But few would deny that the widespread admiration for the pope does not always translate into widespread adherence to what he teaches. Portuguese Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, prefect of the Congregation for Saints' Causes, described the pope Oct. 16 as an itinerant evangelizer like St. Paul, as "the pope of holiness" and as "the pope of young people." True, he said, for many young people today attraction to the pope "may be just admiration, but the more they admire him, the more they will try to live his message and strive for holiness." Preparing to walk the path to holiness, he said, takes some people more time than others, especially if they are bombarded with messages saying the path to holiness is not the path to happiness.

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