Sad about the Pope

Even though I'm not Catholic, Pope John Paul has always been a constant figure in my life through the news media with his pleasant face, God-fearing and loving eyes, gentle smile, hand up greeting the masses, sharing thoughts and scriptures to heal, comfort, and invoke his audience. His health has been deteriorating slowly over the past few years, but he has miraculously held on with a quiet strength, a rock for so many, a touchstone for those who feel lost. It's saddens me to see that he is near death and is barely hanging on - who can rightly so fill his shoes?