HE has been hailed as the "people's Pope" and the greatest communicator of the Roman Catholic Church.

Now Pope John Paul II has died, Roman Catholics in York, North and East Yorkshire have been left with poignant memories from his visit to York in 1982.

Canon Michael Ryan, of St Wilfrid's Church, said he was involved in the Pope's visit to York Racecourse.

"My thoughts of him were that he was a very warm human being and a very strong man," he said.

"Very strong and firm, but with that was a compassion. He had very, very compassionate eyes and a love radiated from the man.

"I think the Catholics of York will be feeling sadness. He wasn't just a Pope or the head of the church, in a number of ways he was loved. They really had an affection for him because of his human warmth. They felt part of the Catholic family and he had a fatherly interest in them."

Dr David Hope, former Archbishop of York, said he and two others had a private audience with the Pope at the Vatican in 2000.

He said: "He was very attentive, very sharp and very keen. One had the impression that here was someone who was of immense stature and a person who gave real inspiration to other Christians, someone who cared deeply about unity and about people as a whole."

Sister Mary Walmsley, Sister-in-Charge at York's Bar Convent, said: "That day on Knavesmire was just a day not to be forgotten by anybody who was there. There were so many people, but they were all so peaceful and happy, almost in a holiday mood.

"One of the highlights was when the Pope mentioned both Margaret Clitherow and Mary Ward (famous Catholic women who died in York). It felt like he was part of the community of York, we stood on our chairs and cheered.

"We have quite a few elderly Sisters at the convent and I think he's been a real example to people whose lives are coming to an end, on how to try and carry on and accept it. Over the last few weeks he has wanted to share his ways of preparing for death and going to his maker.

"He was also a wonderful example to young people. They did warm to him so much because he was such a good communicator.

"He did love young people. Most of the young people will not have known any other Pope and it will be rather moving and poignant for them."

BBC Radio York presenter Elly Fiorentini attended Mass at St Wilfrid's. She met the Pope during his 1982 visit and later saw him at the Vatican.

"His hope was very much for young people," she said.

"When I saw him at the Vatican it was fantastic. He came out and he was like a pop star - everyone was jumping up and shouting his name and he loved it.

"He cared about young people and believed that young people had a voice and he listened to that voice."


:: Story first published on Monday, April 4, 2005