The World Wide Web was invented during his papacy, but Twitter didn’t come along until nearly a year after his death. Nonetheless, Pope John Paul II, who traveled to the four corners of the earth to be closer to the faithful, would surely have appreciated the immediacy and global reach of Twitter.
To mark the first feast day of Pope St. John Paul II, Catholics launched a Twitterstorm of tweets using the hashtag #StJP2WeLoveU, with favorite quotes from the sainted pope. Here are some of the highlights:
“We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures, we are the sum of the Father's love for us…” #StJP2WeLoveU pic.twitter.com/BlgS4c4VAc
— Catholic Extension (@CathExtension) October 22, 2014
As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live.- #StJP2WeLoveU #HappyFeastDay
— Brownsville Diocese (@CatholicRGV) October 22, 2014
"All are called to holiness, and holy people alone can renew humanity." –St. John Paul II #STJP2WeLoveU
— CatholicsFollowBack (@CatholicsFollow) October 22, 2014
What really maters in life is that we are loved by Christ and that we love Him in return. -St. John Paul II #StJP2WeLoveU
— Daniel Forest (@CatholicDaniel) October 22, 2014
#StJP2WeLoveU The world needs to think this now more than ever if we are to regain a moral society pic.twitter.com/rur5Trzw0t
— Stefano Moscato (@steveatmguy) October 22, 2014
#StJP2WeLoveU pic.twitter.com/H1jIcYdKRB
— AnnieBGood (@AnnieJMJ) October 22, 2014
"Love between man and woman cannot be built without sacrifices and self-denial." #STJP2WeLoveU pic.twitter.com/7k51yfbRBb
— James Goodman (@jamesrgoodman) October 22, 2014
Regarding #YOU
#StJP2WeLoveU
St. John Paul II, pray for us and the dignity of human #life
. pic.twitter.com/9FOnr7Gg9h
— Bro. Christian (@brochristian1) October 22, 2014
Real love is demanding. I would fail in my mission if I did not tell you so. #STJP2WeLoveU
— Sorrowful Mother (@SevenDolors) October 22, 2014
"The human person is a good towards which the only proper attitude is love."
-St John Paul II #STJP2WeLoveU
— Catholic Eric (@HappyForever345) October 22, 2014
"Do not be afraid. Do not be satisfied with mediocrity. Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." #STJP2WeLoveU
— Sheila Buxton (@SheilabuxtonS) October 22, 2014
Crux dived into the archives of The Boston Globe to find some reports on milestones in John Paul’s career.
- 1978: Polish prelate elected Pope
- 1983: Pope John Paul II meets assailant in prison, pardons him
- 1991: Pope John Paul II, in Poland, savors victory and looks east
- 1999: Reaffirm values, Pope John Paul II urges US
- 2005: Pope John Paul II, Catholics’ revered leader, dies at 84
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