Dear FRONTLINE

I was deeply moved by this program. I am a Catholic and I do not blindly agree with everything the Pope says, but I believe in my heart that he is a prophet and he moves his people and others closer to faith through a discourse.He never fails to bring us closer to the Holy Spirit.He makes us understand that it is our faith, and not our worldly wealth that makes us a part of this world.

Donna Sons
Wyndmoor, PA

Dear FRONTLINE

As a professional woman, it has been difficult for me to come to the realization that one cannot pick and choose what one wishes to believe and remain a Catholic. I believe God chose Pope John Paul II for reasons we as humans cannot fathom. However, the Pope is human, as are the members of his flock. "Truth" is a journey which will end with eternity, not on earth.

Dr. Judith Irene Knorst
Chicago, Illinois

Dear FRONTLINE

JPII journey's throughout the world, even if intended to promote "his agenda" whether we agree with all of it or not, has resulted in provoking many to see more clearly the problems and assets of many different peoples on this planet - challenging us to do something more about it than we have to this point. It has not only depressed us with a deepened sense of our fellow humans' sufferings, but also inspired us with hope because of so many peoples' valiant ongoing struggles to overcome the tyrannies and evils that oppress them. Through it all JPII has held up the sign of the suffering Jewish Messiah who conquered our human sins and death - by the almighty power of God.
So that while I am disappointed in those issues that I believe the Pope has supported the oppressive forces of the status quo, I thank God for those areas where he has been instrumental in enabling the true liberation and development of peoples on the road of justice and peace and all the necessary human virtues.

Henry Smolinski
Windsor, CT

Dear FRONTLINE

In the part "Jews" there was not understanding of the situation of the Polish people in regards of the Jewish neighbors. In Poland occupied by Germans there was a death penalty for helping Jews. And still many Polish people helped Jewish people. Proof of that are the trees of the righteous in Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. To say that the writings of Saint Maximilian Kolbe stopped Polish people from helping Jews was more than offensive. How many people in America would venture to help somebody under the penalty of death? I now, that my grandmother helped a Jewish family to hide in her home for few days and this family survived the war. But to accuse Karol Wojtyla of not helping Jewish people was the other strange point of the programm. For all Poles and Jews it was a question of survival Jews and Poles were send to Auschwitz and help was shown on the crossroads, not in the charitable action of the Red Cross.

Tadeusz Trela
Jersey City, NJ

Dear FRONTLINE

What was shown about Pope John Paul was a very balanced presentation of this man and his intent. I especially appreciate the ending which leaves our ultimate response to the vision of the world he has offered us. Perhaps in the new century we will discover if what this prophet offers is an opportunity for us to ultimately respond to Wisdom who is God made present. At one time I was a biology professor but that came to an end when I suffered a blead on the left, back side of my brain. Some how I lived but started with little abilities to even respond to the time of day, time of year and who I was. The steps back where slow but did occur beyond what anyone expected. I've lost my abilities to teach biology but have rediscovered what the essence of my life is. I have gained great insight in rediscovering God as he is to me this day. Having sosmething is having an appreciation of life, people, goodness, love...all of which is the essence of life.

I am a priest who had to learn to say mass all over again. Now my parye is different then what it has been...God is ever there...

Ronald Gmerek
Erie, Pa

Dear FRONTLINE

The Pope has been a gift to us in our lifetime, and one of the most influential men of the last half-century.In a world that is suffering a paucity of moral leadership and is slowly sinking into an amoral abyss all in the name of personal choice and personal freedom, John Paul ll has consistently told us we all can and should be better than we are. Let's face it - we know we can be. He is, by far, the most gifted Pope in history and a man who has made me, and most Catholics I know, proud of our faith.

Kathleen King

Dear FRONTLINE

I think the program was superb. My only problem with it, as a new convert to Catholisism is that the people who are talking against it, don't have a clue. I feel like I am a very modern woman, but I have no problem with there being no women priests. The reason - because the Catholic Church goes back to Christ -- not some breakaway religion that is only a few hundred years old. We are talking 2000 years here. Sure it's hard to be a Catholic. Do I agree with everything - no, but this is a religion that Christ set up - whether it was 2000 years ago or what. He set it up and he set it up the way He wanted it. Not the way some man or woman wanted it. And God told him how it was to be done. That's a powerful thing. It's the only religion that was created by Christ. The others are just imitators. Being a Catholic is very difficult, but religion, like every thing else in life shouldn't be easy. You should have to work for it or at it.

I also agree with the Pope that this is the worst century. There is a reason there is crime all around and violence. The morals have gone to Hell. No one cares about anything any more. We are still in the "if it feels good, do it" attitude of the 60s. Very selfish. Don't care about your fellow man or woman. We have truly reaped what we have sown. And until we get back to faith, it will not stop.

Anne Davis
Atlanta, Georgia

Dear FRONTLINE

I really believe that JPII has been a very wonderful Bishop of Rome and Pope for the Universal Church. He has in his own way defeated the enemy of this century, and that is "Communisism". He has brought The Papacy out of Rome and brought it to the world distant frontiers.
The only problem I have with his Papacy and perhaps, his legacy, lies in the fact that most often his vision seems to be ver narrowed, perhaps due in part to his limited world experience, growing up under a suppress region of people. I often fear that he has paved the way for a return of Pre-Vatican expressions of faith. The liturgy of today hass given the People of God, the opportunity to LIVE the Mass not attend Mass. I believe there is even more room for better liturgy, and that ligurgy must be the liturgy of the people, for the people, and by the people, and not essentially the liturgy of the Presider.
My other major concern, is that movement to perhaps diatize Mary, instead of allowing her, her prime and magnigicent role of roles, as THE mother of God, Jesus Christ. I woooonder perhaps, if the focus to the wonderful role of Mary as Mother, would bring about a new and stirring desire in Women to be good MOTHERS.

Frank Randazzo

Dear FRONTLINE

The statement made during this program stating that Pope Pius the 12th did nothing to save the Jews is in error! I suggest you contact EWTN Television to learn the truth!!

In one incident,Pope Pius had the Bishops of Amsterdam condem the actions of the Nazi's and this condemnation led directly to the Nazis rounding up all Jews even those who were converted Christians such as Edith Stein who was a Catholic Nun and a converted Jew, and being sent to their deaths in the camps. The pope then, wisely, I think, decided to help in other ways. Thousands of Jews were saved by the monks, sisters, brothers and lay persons of the Catholic church even hiding some in St. Peter's Bacilica itself!

Do you realy think that a mad man like Hitler and his ilk would stop the murders because the Pope said, "No you shouldn't do that"?

I really doubt it!!

Gerald Boone

Dear FRONTLINE

I thought it was very interesting listening to the interviews with the people who were clearly upset with the Pope and the Church and then to listen to the discussion on the "Culture of Death" and his Faith and Legacy and how these topics and especially the words spoken by Msgr Albacate transcended all that these people had said. The Pope is not just about saying "No" to birth control, abortion, and female priests. He is about helping us to live as we are meant to live- in communion with Christ and with each other. He carries around a Crucifix as a testament to what he stands for- and that which goes beyond allof these other things.

Garrick Vouk
Woodbury, MN

Dear FRONTLINE

Don't you think it's a little premature to attempt to determine what the legacy will be? He's not finished yet.

Karl Orner
Royal Oak, MI

Dear FRONTLINE

"Pain is God's megaphone to a deaf world". I may not be quoting CS Lewis precisely, but I believe that is how God uses pain. We suffer. My suffering may seem paltry compared to a famine victim, but it is no less real or personal. In my times of despair, more than any other time, to I cry out to my Father. He didn't make me suffer. Nature and sin in this world do that quite well. But He reaches to me, consoles me, and draws me closer to Him. Somehow, I become more deeply myself. That is one of John Paul's deepest messages, and one least fathomed by our materialistic, western culture that seeks comfort and convenience.

Jack Werle
Richmond, IN

Dear FRONTLINE

I think John Paul II's legacy will be the restoration of a Church that for some reason was in disarray, for many reasons. Mainly, he is reminding us of what we lost in a materialistic world, our sense of self and our sense of humaness. Because of what this man suffered through out his life, we see in ourselves. And the man is still full of faith. He is a light in the darkness.

Wesley McBride
Corpus Christi, Texas

Dear FRONTLINE

I was interviwed for this documentary for over six hours, and thought at the time that the women producing this were ferociously intelligent. They had every possible resource available to do a responsible treatment of the problems JPII has caused for women, for our own theologians, etc, but for some inexpliciable reason they chose to crate a paen to JPII instead. A nice safe little program that didn't even touch the real church. I was truly disgusted with it.

Catharine Henningsen

Dear FRONTLINE

The show was on the whole good but rather one-sided on some issues. There was not enough commentary from people who support the Church's teaching on women's ordination and the situation in Central America was dealt with in a
superficial way. Not enough was said about the Pope's protests against the violation of human rights by right wing governments.

Martha Moyers