Let us pray for Pope John Paul the Second…

Let us give thanks for his life, his teaching and his example…

We give thanks for his particular care for young people, shown in his invitation to them to gather for World Youth Day…

‘Each of you is precious to Christ, he knows you personally,

he loves you tenderly, even when you are not aware of it.’

Let us give thanks for his ministry to all peoples of the world…

for his commitment to peace and justice between nations…

…and for his continued leadership and witness despite personal suffering.

For being a Pope of the children…

And of the world!

He knew what it was like to live in a country far from his home…

…to speak a language that was not his mother tongue.

May his strength and wisdom be a source of comfort to us in the days and weeks ahead.

Let us pray for the Church throughout the world, as she mourns his death…

…and for those entrusted with electing his successor.

Almighty God, we thank you for the life of Pope John Paul the Second.

May we who mourn his death, continue to live lives of faith, hope

and love, true to the teaching of the Gospel. We pray that he may find peace

in your Kingdom, where you live for ever and ever.

Amen.

Let us pray together:

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine

upon him. May he rest in peace.

Amen.