During the last five years, and perhaps even longer, the public’s response to the ever ambitious itinerary of our aged and frail pope has ranged from one of amazement and inspiration to that of concern, and even criticism that he should no longer be doing the job.

I can recall comments by some who feel that he shouldn’t be compelled to take such arduous trips; that he should be permitted to retire and rest in these, his twilight years. There are even some who regard his ongoing ministry as a poor reflection of the vitality of the Catholic Church. I hear these comments, and I wonder how people can be so wrong.

How can they miss the incredible mission that John Paul II still lives out every day? How can they not see the impact he has everywhere he goes, despite his infirmities? And how can they not even consider that it is by virtue of these very infirmities that he sends what may be the most powerful message of his pontificate?

What we’re up against with the negative response to the Holy Father’s continued work is likely the culturally-instilled belief that we all have to be fit, young and beautiful to have any value in this society. This is the morally repugnant position that the pope has spoken out against time and time again. He has called upon the world to value every human life, in all its stages, with all of its frailties. And now his very presence is a witness not only to the value that every life holds, but the difference that every person can make in this world, even if their capabilities are diminished.

Our coverage this week of the upcoming 25th anniversary of the election of John Paul II includes the comments of one Vatican official, who refers to the possibility that the Holy Father takes on a whole new dimension of ministry now that his own infirmities have become more pronounced. This perspective, which bears repeating here, reminds us that we all have gifts despite our limitations, and that our infirmities and shortcomings can be accepted with grace and dignity.

"When the Mass is celebrated by someone in his condition, the sacrifice of Christ becomes even more evident," Cardinal Jozef Tomko, a longtime friend and retired Vatican official, said in an interview with CNS. "What comes through is a deep spirituality and the acceptance of his limitations. I think in these conditions he is winning even more people to Christ than before," Cardinal Tomko said.

This conviction that all persons, even those who have come through diversity and do not "measure up" by society’s standards, is also reflected in this week’s coverage of Respect Life Month activities. For instance in the report by Charissa Carroll on the diocesan Critical Life Issues Conference (see page 3), readers will meet Gianna Jessen, a young woman who survived a saline abortion, and now has cerebral palsy as a result of the lack of oxygen to her brain during the procedure.

As a speaker and musician, Jessen now takes her message of hope around the world. She refers to her condition as "a wonderful gift," explaining, "Life offers so much joy when you have to fight every moment, and that joy far surpasses any challenges . . ."

In his address at the conference, Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski makes reference to the fact that we have become so accustomed to quick fixes and a life without hardship, that we have failed to recognize the grace that comes through challenges, illness and imperfections. Perhaps this is why some individuals object to seeing our Holy Father as he suffers with his illnesses . . . we would prefer that he goes away from public view, the same way many prominent persons do when they take ill in the last years of their lives.

But in one week’s time, Pope John Paul II will have reached a milestone in his papacy, making his reign the fourth longest in the history of the Church. As CNS reports, he will have visited more countries, kissed more babies, canonized more saints and delivered more speeches than any previous pontiff.

May God bless our Holy Father with the continued strength, energy and grace that he needs to exercise this ministry that he has made his life’s work.

We are all blessed to have lived during his papacy and benefited from his messages of love, hope and salvation.