April 2, 2005

Premier Gordon Campbell has released the following statement in response to the passing of Pope John Paul II.

“British Columbians join the world in mourning the passing of Pope John Paul II. For nearly 27 years, he was a spiritual leader for the one billion Catholics around the globe, but also a powerful voice of peace and humanity for the entire world.

“He leaves an extraordinary legacy of a life that in many ways extended beyond the church and the papacy to influence some of the defining events of the last quarter century. Regardless of our own personal religious beliefs, the loss of a man of such profound faith, spirit and vision touches all our lives.

“In our sadness, we can all take comfort in knowing that he is now free from his illness and has undoubtedly found the lasting peace to which he devoted his life.”