Emeritus Pope says predecessor's faith, courage were signs of holiness

April 25, 2014 - ‎Blessed John Paul II's deep spirituality and his courage to uphold the truth were clear signs of his sainthood, said his successor, retired Pope Benedict XVI. "John Paul II never asked for applause, he never looked around, worried about how his decisions would be received. He acted according to his faith and his convictions, and he was also ready to take the blows," the retired pope said in a book-length collection of interviews. Pope Benedict's comments were part of the book, "Alongside John Paul II: Friends and Collaborators Tell Their Story," a compilation of 22 interviews conducted by Polish journalist Wlodzimierz Redzioch. The recently released book was initially available only in Italian and Spanish. In a written response to the author's questions, Pope Benedict explained his long relationship with the Polish pope, which began with their first meeting as cardinals during the conclave that elected Pope John Paul I in August 1978. "From the very start, I felt great reverence and a cordial fondness" for the then-archbishop of Krakow, who "outstandingly analyzed the nature of Marxism" for the cardinals in the pre-conclave meetings. "Most of all I immediately felt struck by the personal charm that he exuded, and I noticed from the way he prayed how profoundly united he was to God." ‎ (Source: CNS)‎