Be a Saint of Mercy: Forgive Offenses…like Saint John Paul II

We’ve all been wronged by someone else. We know well the pain, anger, and suffering that these offenses cause. So we are all confronted with the consideration of how to mercifully approach forgiving someone for the wrongs they’ve committed against us? Unfortunately, there isn’t an easy answer, but lucky for us, we have saints who have modeled it well for us. And perhaps no saint modeled it more mercifully than Saint John Paul II _____________________________________________________

I don’t mean to brag, but I’ve been in the presence of a canonized saint!
Of course, if you’re over the age of 37 years old and grew up here in Iowa, chances are you have too!

If you weren’t there in person, surely you’ve heard the story countless times over the years… On October 4th, 1979 Pope John Paul II accepted an invitation from local farmer Joseph Hays, to visit Central Iowa during his first papal visit to the United States.

Ask anyone in Urbandale, especially a St. Pius X Parishioner, about that day and you’re bound to hear the same story…


It was a cold and rainy morning. Many visitors anticipating the Pope’s visit, camped overnight on the farmland that is now Living History Farms, in the chilly and soggy conditions. Those who came the morning of the papal visit took shuttles or walked from Valley West Mall or surrounding parking areas off of I-80/35 (the interstate was closed for the papal visit). Many visitors adorned makeshift ponchos fashioned from trash bags in an attempt to stay dry. But whether arriving overnight or that morning, the wait was long and cold. But who could miss the opportunity to see the Pope in person, and in our own “backyard”?!

My parents were there.

They bundled up their little 13 month old son and made the journey from the North-side of Des Moines to the farm on the outskirts of town. The way Mom tells the story, “It was cold and rainy and we were second guessing bringing you, Joe. But the thought of missing the Pope wasn’t an option. We had to be there. It was cloudy and dreary as we waited. But then we heard it, the distant thumping of a helicopter approaching. The anticipation of the crowd began to grow, and like a miracle, the grey skies disappeared and were replaced by a beautiful sunny sky, just as the papal helicopter appeared over the horizon. It’s like the Pope brought the sun with him. It was perfect!”

Ask around, or reminisce and I promise you’ll hear the same account of that day over and over again. Holy people carry with them Jesus.

Perhaps this is what’s at the center of the Work of Mercy to Forgive Offenses. It’s an exchange of Jesus’ mercy and love from one person to another!

At least John Paul II sure seemed to approach it this way!

With our personal connection to John Paul II here in Urbandale, it makes sense to look to his example as we strive to live lives of Mercy, especially when we look to Forgiving Offenses done against us!

A few years after his historic stop in the U.S., Pope John Paul II was making his way through the throngs of visitors packing Saint Peter’s Square, when four gunshots were fired from among the waiting crowd. The date was May 13th, 1981. And Pope John Paul II found himself the target of an assassination attempt. Of the four bullets fired by young Turkish murderer, Mehmet Ali Agca, two bullets struck the Pope, wounding him in the abdomen, right arm, and left hand, as he collapsed into the hands of his personal secretary, Rev. Stanislaw, and personal servant, Angelo Gugel (the other two bullets wounded American and Jamaican tourists standing nearby).

Pope John Paul II was rushed to a nearby hospital, Gemelli Hospital, where he underwent over five hours of intense surgery, including the transfusion of nearly six pints of blood and the removal of three different sections of his intestines.

The actions of Ali Agca caused the Pope significant wounds. An offense that lead to months of surgery, recovery, and rehabilitation.

For his actions, Ali Agca was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment in Italy – but he was eventually released.

Following the assassination attempt, John Paul II asked people to “pray for my brother…whom I have sincerely forgiven.” In 1983, the Holy Father followed up his words with a visit to the prison where Ali Agca was being kept. The two met privately face-to-face, John Paul II forgave his would-be murderer in person!


Over the years Pope John Paul II and Ali Agca corresponded with each other. The assassin seemingly becoming a believer in the mercy and love that his target freely brought to him in the name of Jesus!

As we reflect on our Christian call to Forgive (all) Offenses, may we each find direction and joy in John Paul the Great’s response to Mehmet Ali Agca.

Saint John Paul II…Pray for Us!