UB mourns death of pope

After nearly 27 years of service, Pope John Paul II passed away at the age of 84 this past weekend, leading millions of individuals to mourn his death.

The Pope suffered from several chronic illnesses, including Parkinson's disease and debilitating hip and knee ailments. The Vatican said that he passed away as a result of septic shock and cardiocirculatory failure late Saturday evening.

The loss of Pope John Paul II has saddened the Catholic world, including members of UB's Catholic community, many of whom said they will remember his accomplishments and celebrate his inspiring life.

"It's a very sad time, but I think that he was a really good example of the dignity of human life," said Gregory Coogan, the campus minister at St. Joseph's in University Heights. "His suffering and commitment to reaching out to people of all ages was truly inspiring. We should be grateful to God for allowing John Paul to lead us for so long."

Many UB students said they will remember the Pope's leadership and commitment.

"You couldn't help but see the light of God in him," recalled Allana Krolikowski, a junior biomedical science and Spanish major who is a Newman Center member.

Krolikowski said she was watching television when the Pope's death was announced and was overcome with feelings of both sadness and relief.

"It's very sad he passed away, but at least he isn't suffering any more," she said. "He fulfilled his responsibility to serve as an effective witness of Christ. It's really quite beautiful."

Father Patrick Keleher, the director of the Newman Center, said he felt a similar combination of mourning and relief.

"I was relieved because he had been sick for so long," he said.

Grief over the Pope's death is dominant within the Catholic community, but members of other faiths also say they feel a loss.

"I received some nice sympathetic e-mails from the Protestant and Jewish communities," Father Keleher said. "It was really thoughtful."

Zahava Essig, a junior political science major and an active member of the Jewish community, was also affected by the news.

"My grandfather grew up in Krakow, Poland, where the Pope was from," she said. "He said that they played together when they were young."

The Pope's death coincides with another death in Buffalo's Catholic community. Bishop Edward Head passed away Tuesday at the age of 85.

"Buffalo has been doubly shocked," said Father Keheler.

Head was the 11th Bishop of Buffalo, preceding Henry Mansell and the current bishop, Edward Kmiec.

According to Father Keheler, several services will honor the life of Pope John Paul II, each handled by the individual diocese of the area. Friday will be the official day of mourning for the Pope in Buffalo and all Catholic schools will be closed.