BonnieBlueFlag on the Red Birettas

The Red Birettas

Written by BonnieBlueFlag:

In 1978, the year of three Popes, Karol Wojtyla was elected to be the third Pope. Surely he was in consideration to be elected the next and second Pope just about a month earlier, because he was elected on the first day of voting in this second Papal Conclave for 1978.

Perhaps he had been passed over earlier, because he was considered to be so young, only 58 at the time. The Cardinals like to elect older men to this position, thus limiting their effect on the entire Catholic Church, especially if they may feel that they have made a mistake in their choosing.

Either the Cardinals made an error in their expectations of Pope John Paul I's longevity, he was age 66, or the Holy Spirit decided that they hadn't got it right the first time, and called for a "do over."

There must have been several Cardinals who recognized Karol Wojtyla's potential, and most of all his sincere devotion to God. But, it doesn't seem likely that any of them could have anticipated on that day, that this new Pope would take part in changing the world forever.

Pope John Paul II was truly an inspired choice, inspired by the Holy Spirit.

There was a time in history, when the Popes did have armies, and there were Popes who made dramatic changes with those armies, but, Pope John Paul II had no army, and he would alter the world and it's history with only his words, his actions, and his prayers.

Pope John Paul II's trip to his homeland, Poland, in 1979 was a spectacular event in and of itself. It was "Local Boy Makes Good" all the way.

The Poles were a down trodden people after years of subjugation to the Soviets, but, here before them was a man who was one of them, someone who had known their pain personally, and he said to them, "Be Not Afraid."

That was the beginning, the Polish people found new pride and courage in themselves and their dream to be a free people, they were no longer afraid.

Later that year, those crazy Americans would elect a Hollywood Actor as their new President, and the stage would be set. The world looked on in disbelief and undisguised humor, a Polish Pope and one of the co-stars of "Bedtime For Bonzo," Ronald Reagan, was President of the United States.

It would seem that God had plans for us all, and he also had a sense of humor.

To be continued . . .

Written by BonnieBlueFlag