Catholics on campus yesterday mourned the loss and celebrated the life of their 84-year-old leader who passed away on Saturday afternoon.
"The beauty of this man was that people respected him because he lived what he said," said self-described Vaticanologist Rock Palmo, a 2004 College graduate, who saw the pontiff in October 2000 in Rome. "Even his critics had to acknowledge that."
Catholic students were saddened by the death of Pope John Paul II, but they emphasized the good deeds of the pope during his life and showed optimism for the future of the Catholic Church.
"I really feel like someone I'm personally connected with, like a family member, were dying," College senior Bernardo Aparicio said. "I really am inspired by how he has made a point to work himself to the end even with all the difficulties he has seen."
John Paul II was the first non-Italian pope in 455 years and the first pope of Slavic origin in the history of the Church.
His condition had been deteriorating for some time, as he suffered from a series of illnesses that caused him to be hospitalized from Feb. 1 to 10 and again from Feb. 24 to March 13.
Last Thursday, the pope was given the last rites, also known as the sacrament of the sick or extreme unction.
In keeping with the Universi Dominici Gregis law, after the pope's embalmed body lies in state in St. Peter's Basilica for mourners, he must be buried between four and six days following his death.
Sue Harte, acting director of the Newman Center at Penn, drew a parallel between the recent passing of Rev. Charles Pfeffer, the Newman Center's chaplain, and that of the pope.
"We are experiencing this in a unique way because of the loss of our chaplain, Father Chuck," Harte said, adding that Catholics do not view death as final. "As we mourn, we celebrate his life. We mourn the loss of the person, but live in hope of the resurrection. It's painful, but it's hopeful at the same time."
Harte added that mourning "will happen in the context of the regular schedule" and that the church was seeing an increase in attendance at masses over the last few days.
College junior Brian McCarthy, the president of the Newman Center, said that watching the pope in his final days and weeks had been difficult.
"He's such a great leader, it's hard to see him in such a sick state," McCarthy said. "He's got such a strong heart and strong faith that I know that God's looking out for him and will give him what he needs."
McCarthy reflected on the fact that there has never been another pope during his lifetime.
"This is kind of who I think of as 'Pope,'" McCarthy said. "This is our pope; we've never had anyone else."
College sophomore Catherine Magyera expressed similar sentiments.
"I've never experienced a change. I'm really kind of unsure how to feel about it," Magyera said. "I don't think people realize how great he was."
Wharton graduate student Daniel Torres took the opportunity to look back on the pope's accomplishments.
"He is not only a spiritual leader, but he helped the world to leave the communist system," Torres said. "He actually helped in shaping the global order as we know it."
Some students drew comparisons between the pope and Terri Schiavo, a brain-damaged Florida woman who passed away not long before the pope, 13 days after her feeding tube was removed.
"I think it's almost prophetic or symbolic, the link between the two," College junior Nina Mirarchi said. "Catholicism is a lot about symbolism. Just his presence, the redemptive power of suffering, which coincidentally is what this whole Easter season is about."
In light of the pope's recent passing, some are looking toward the future.
"We are a little sad, but confident about the future. The Catholic Church will be strong for the future," Torres said. "Perhaps it is time for a Latin-American pope."
McCarthy was also confident about the future, although he said that he believed no one would know the identity of the new pope until the matter had been decided.
"I'm hopeful about the process," McCarthy said. "There is speculation about who the new pope will be, but I have faith the new pope will live up to John Paul II's legacy."
The pontiff's final testament will be opened today to reveal his final place of rest. The election of the next pope will begin April 20 at the latest, according to Palmo.
Known as a conclave, derived from the Latin term for "with a key," all 117 cardinals will be locked inside the Sistine Chapel without any contact with the outside world.
There, they will deliberate for as long as is needed until a two-thirds majority is reached.
"The door is wide open now for a Latin American or Western European," Palmo said, citing the pope's "leadership on the world stage."
