Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I support the motion proposed by the Taoiseach. World leaders gathered in Rome last Friday for the burial of the Pope and to pay tribute to a remarkable man who was a poet, actor, mystic, jet-setter, philosopher, anti-war campaigner, human rights activist and evangelist. He meant more to humanity than any other individual in the history of mankind. His university friends once pinned a note on his desk which read "Apprentice Saint". Last Friday's call of Santo Subito may yet be granted for one described as approaching the papacy with the constitution of a horse and the energy of a freight train.

I was deeply privileged and moved to be part of the Irish delegation at the funeral of Pope John Paul II, history's most public and spiritual leader. He brought the gospel not only to the furthest edges of Catholicism and Christendom but also to the birthplaces of Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism and Judaism. He brought it to the heartland of secularism and materialism and even to the bastion of communism for 40 years. He went head to head with Stalinists for what he referred to as the soul of Poland.

Pope John Paul II was a charismatic and controversial figure. However, even those who rejected his conservatism might praise his authenticity. Much has been said and will be said about the exterior of his 26-year pontificate which may yet be one of the most consequential through his advocacy of the poor, commitment to peace, challenge to communism and secularism, public promotion of spirituality in countries where religion was punishable and rehabilitation of Galileo into the church.

The interior dimension of his papacy was also important. The immense, profoundly spiritual aspect of the life of Pope John Paul II and his soul's journey touched and inspired millions throughout the world. In the days before and after his death, millions began to think about the transcendent aspect of who we are, of finding a sense of life and meaning, about our own soul's journey, the nature of human suffering and our higher selves. We seldom get an opportunity to consider such matters privately, never mind collectively, on such a global scale and in such a material world. It has been extremely good and helpful for a large swathe of humankind to get a sense of who we are as part of a global family. We have been able to step off the treadmill of day-to-day living and think and express ourselves in a remarkable and extraordinary way, both publicly and privately.

For Pope John Paul II the challenge of life existed in the gap between who we are and who we ought to be. Even if we were not totally preoccupied by this, it made us think beyond the habitual and banal at least once over the past two weeks. We should be grateful for that alone.

He urged politicians to have courage, hold our heads up and deal with the great challenges of humanity as identified by him on 10 January: life, food, freedom and peace. World politicians could pay the most fitting tribute, perhaps, by nominating him for a posthumous Nobel peace prize.

Pope John Paul II liked to watch the sunrise, even when ill. Some years ago, having broken his thigh, he shuffled noisily into a room full of bishops. It was business as usual. Manoeuvring himself into place, he muttered, "Epper si muove— And yet it moves." These were the words spoken by Galileo to the Inquisition after he was sentenced to life in prison for the heretical assertion that the Earth moves around the sun. The Pope's spokesman, Joaquin Novarro-Valls, said that in the end his soul dragged his body. That was clear at his funeral last Friday. His soul still moves.

Ireland was one of the first countries Pope John Paul II chose to visit, and Knock was the goal of that journey. He set goals in his life and, more than anybody else of whom I have ever known, he exited this mortal world having delivered fully on his life's commitments. He left behind goals for politicians to follow and attempt to achieve, and we should do our utmost to do so.

I share the sentiments expressed by the Taoiseach and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on the death of Pope John Paul II. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.

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