A pontiff for the people

Twenty-five years ago today, he appeared on the world stage as the first non-Italian pope in more than four centuries. Soon, John Paul II, the robust man with a charismatic presence and thirst for globe-trotting, became a media star.

But even in an age of celebrity, it takes more than media appeal to capture the world's attention — and hold it for a quarter-century.

John Paul II has transformed the papacy, taking the church to the people, observers say. He's left an indelible mark on the world, playing a key role in the collapse of communism and becoming a strong moral voice for Catholics and non-Catholics alike on the primacy of freedom and spiritual values.

"He has established the papacy as an almost universally recognized center of public moral deliberation about the kind of world in which we live," says the Rev. Richard John Neuhaus, editor of First Things.

And he's placed his stamp firmly on the Roman Catholic Church. Hewing to a staunch traditional Catholicism, the Polish-born leader both renewed allegiances and stirred controversy among the faithful.

"Pope John Paul II presided over an acute polarization of the church between its conservative and liberal wings," says the Rev. John Langan, of the Kennedy Institute of Ethics at Georgetown University in Washington.

In fact, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll, American Catholics generally approve of this pope's stature and approach.

"This is a man who truly lives what he believes," says Marion Gaworecki, of Lynwood, N.Y. "He's renewed my faith and that of other Catholics."

Still, most American Catholics — 74 percent — are critical of his handling of sexual abuse by priests and believe the church is out of touch with their perspectives and beliefs regarding such subjects as birth control and abortion, homosexuality and the death penalty.

Half also think the pope should resign because of his poor health, according to the survey.

In St. Peter's Square

Indeed, as the now 83-year-old pope undertakes a grueling week of events to celebrate his silver anniversary, beatify Mother Teresa and induct 31 new cardinals, his health is at the forefront, with persistent questions about how the church will be governed should he be incapacitated. The pope alone is authorized to decide that.