Interview with reporters aboard Air Force One

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents,  April 11, 2005  

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The President. My relationship with Pope John Paul II was a very good relationship. He was such a gentle man, and at the end of his life he made his points to me with his eyes. The last visit, as you know, he was pretty physically--he was struggling, and yet his eyes twinkled, just real clear. Much of the communications was done by paperwork, which--

Q. Did he speak English?

The President. Some, but it was hard to really understand him because he was struggling. That's why it's really interesting for people to note that there was a lot of testimony--and in my remarks, I tried to witness that as well that his struggle at the end of his life and the dignity with which he struggled was a clear example of Christ's influence in his life.

I was honored to see that firsthand. He's one of the great vigorous leaders--mountain climber, educator, instructor who then had to struggle using the very tools that enabled him to be a vigorous teacher, outdoorsman, freedom fighter, and yet, nevertheless, he still could communicate clearly through eyes which were, yon know, crystal dear. And I remember the Castel Gandolfo, when Laura and I went to visit him. And he took us out on the balcony. The Castel overlooks this fantastic lake; it's a spectacular lake. And he was much more conversant then. I think it might have been my first trip?

Q. It was 2001.

The President. Yes. Right before or after Genoa, the G-8 in Genoa. And he had a sparkle; he really wanted to show us this beautiful setting. I would define Pope John Paul II as a clear thinker who was like a rock. And tides of moral relativism kind of washed around him, but he stood strong as a rock. And that's why millions--one of the reasons why millions came to admire and love him.

I was asked by some of the leadership of the Church, was I surprised at the turnout? I said, "Not at all, because millions from all religions, millions of Catholics and millions of others admired his strength and his purpose and his moral clarity."

Pope John Paul II's Physical Struggle

Q. How did the Pope struggle with his health at the end of his life and his example throughout his life strengthen your own faith?

The President. Well, you know, it is as--clear example of Christ's influence in a person's life that he maintained such a kind of hopeful, optimistic, clear point of view amidst struggles--in his case, physical struggles. And that's--a lot of Christians gain great strength and confidence from seeing His Holiness in the last stages of life.

Q. Do you think that will help you in the months and years ahead, in your own life?

The President. Well, I think all of us get touched in different ways if you're on a faith journey--we're all affected differently. But yes, I think my relationship with--and Pope John Paul II's example will serve--will be a moment in my life that will strengthen my faith and my belief--not just me, more significantly, millions of people whose life he touched. I think we might have witnessed--I don't know--perhaps the largest funeral in the history of mankind. I'm not sure if that's true or not; somebody said that might be true.