The title “Saint John Paul The Great” is increasingly used within the Catholic Church and among its faithful, a testament to the profound and lasting impact of Pope John Paul II. While the formal declaration of “Great” for a Pope is a rare honor, bestowed only on a few historical figures like Leo the Great and Gregory the Great, the momentum behind recognizing Saint John Paul the Great is undeniable. This recognition is not merely sentimental; it stems from a careful consideration of his historical significance, his transformative papacy, and the endorsement from his successors, Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, in his letter to the Polish bishops marking the centennial of Pope Saint John Paul the Great‘s birth, eloquently articulated the reasons for this honorific. Benedict’s reflections emphasize not only John Paul II’s global impact but also his crucial role in revitalizing the Church during a period of internal and external challenges. Similarly, Pope Francis, through actions like naming a book “San Giovanni Paolo Magno,” has signaled his support for this title, further solidifying its place in the Church’s lexicon.
Why “The Great”? A Pope of Historical Magnitude
The question of whether Saint John Paul the Great deserves the appellation hinges on the scale of his influence on world history. Even during his lifetime, the sense of John Paul II’s extraordinary impact was palpable. Lech Wałęsa, the former president of Poland, captured this sentiment powerfully when asked about the Pope’s role in Poland’s liberation and the fall of Soviet communism. Wałęsa’s response, comparing Saint John Paul the Great to the indispensable sun, highlighted the Pope’s pervasive and vital influence, suggesting that even “the Great” might be an understatement of his true stature.
The immediate aftermath of Saint John Paul the Great’s death in 2005 saw spontaneous calls for his recognition as “the Great.” Cardinal Angelo Sodano and Pope Benedict XVI himself, in his first address as Pope, used the title, indicating an early acknowledgment of his exceptional papacy. While a formal declaration was initially deemed premature, particularly before his canonization, the title has resurfaced and gained traction, especially with the explicit support from both Pope Benedict and Pope Francis.
Benedict XVI provides a compelling rationale for the title by drawing parallels with the other Popes recognized as “Great,” Leo and Gregory. He notes that “greatness” in this context relates to the “human dimension” of a Pope’s historical impact, often with political ramifications. Saint John Paul the Great’s role in the peaceful dismantling of the Soviet empire aligns perfectly with this understanding of papal “greatness.” In fact, Benedict argues that the threat posed by Soviet communism was arguably more significant than the challenges faced by Leo and Gregory, further strengthening the case for Saint John Paul the Great‘s inclusion in this select group.
The adoption of “the Great” for Saint John Paul the Great is not expected to be a formal decree but rather an organic development, growing from widespread usage and acceptance within the Church. With the backing of the current and former Popes, Catholics are increasingly embracing the title, recognizing its aptness in describing his monumental legacy.
A Restorer of Faith in Tumultuous Times
Beyond his geopolitical influence, Saint John Paul the Great played a critical role in what Benedict XVI describes as the “restoration” of the Church. Following the Second Vatican Council, while Pope Paul VI skillfully guided the Council to its conclusion, the Church faced increasing internal challenges. The post-conciliar period was marked by doctrinal disputes, declining religious practice in some parts of the world, and a sense of uncertainty about the Church’s direction. Benedict argues that Saint John Paul the Great stepped into this complex situation as a “liberating restorer,” guiding the Church through a period of turmoil and reaffirming its foundations.
This concept of “restoration” was central to Benedict’s theological vision even before his papacy. As Cardinal Ratzinger, he had spoken in the 1980s about the need for a “restoration” of Church life in the wake of the Second Vatican Council. Saint John Paul the Great’s papacy became precisely this force for renewal and clarification. Benedict highlights that the deliberations of Vatican II were sometimes presented in a way that seemed to question core tenets of the faith, causing confusion and undermining the Council’s intended purpose of renewal within continuity.
In response to this climate, Saint John Paul the Great, in close collaboration with Cardinal Ratzinger, initiated the monumental project of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. This comprehensive document, a landmark achievement of his papacy, served to clarify Church teaching and dispel the ambiguities that had arisen in the post-conciliar period. The Catechism provided a clear and authoritative exposition of Catholic faith, effectively demonstrating that the “Faith itself” remained steadfast and unchanged amidst the renewal called for by Vatican II.
Divine Mercy and a Saint’s Passing
Another significant aspect of Saint John Paul the Great’s legacy is his profound connection to the Divine Mercy devotion. As a testament to this connection and in honor of the centennial of Saint John Paul the Great’s birth, Pope Francis decreed the inclusion of the feast of Saint Faustina Kowalska, the visionary of Divine Mercy, into the universal Roman calendar. Saint John Paul the Great himself had canonized Saint Faustina in 2000, recognizing her as the first saint of the third millennium.
The establishment of a Feast of Divine Mercy was a request made by Jesus to Saint Faustina in her apparitions, with the desired date being the Sunday after Easter. Saint John Paul the Great was deeply moved by this request but approached its implementation with characteristic prudence and “humility,” as Benedict XVI recounts. Recognizing the liturgical significance of the Sunday after Easter, which concludes the Easter Octave, Saint John Paul the Great sought the counsel of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, then headed by Cardinal Ratzinger.
Despite initial reservations from the Congregation about altering the traditional character of the Second Sunday of Easter (“in Albis”), Saint John Paul the Great accepted their negative response not once, but twice. Ultimately, he found a solution that honored both the tradition of the Church and the message of Divine Mercy. In 2000, at Saint Faustina’s canonization on Divine Mercy Sunday, he announced that the Second Sunday of Easter would retain its liturgical structure but would also be known as Divine Mercy Sunday. This balanced approach, respecting tradition while embracing new expressions of faith, is a hallmark of Saint John Paul the Great’s papacy.
The profound resonance of Divine Mercy devotion within the Church became strikingly evident at the time of Saint John Paul the Great’s death. In what Benedict XVI describes as a divine confirmation, Saint John Paul the Great passed away in the very first moments of Divine Mercy Sunday in 2005. This remarkable coincidence underscored the deep connection between Saint John Paul the Great and the message of Divine Mercy. Even Cardinal Ratzinger, who had initially opposed the specific timing of the feast, was deeply moved and included a quote on Divine Mercy from Saint John Paul the Great‘s writings in his funeral homily.
Benedict XVI himself further solidified this connection by choosing Divine Mercy Sunday for Saint John Paul the Great’s beatification in 2011, and Pope Francis followed suit, selecting Divine Mercy Sunday for his canonization in 2014. This consistent association of Saint John Paul the Great with Divine Mercy Sunday highlights the intertwining of his legacy with this powerful message of God’s love and forgiveness.
In conclusion, the recognition of Saint John Paul the Great as “Great” is a fitting tribute to a papacy that left an indelible mark on both the Church and the world. His influence transcended political boundaries, contributing to the fall of oppressive regimes and inspiring a generation. Simultaneously, he was a shepherd who guided the Church through complex times, reaffirming its faith and fostering a deeper understanding of God’s mercy. The greatness of Saint John Paul the Great lies in this unique combination of worldly impact and profound spiritual depth, a legacy that continues to inspire and guide Catholics worldwide.
Saint John Paul the Great, pray for us!
