On this day, Oct. 16, 25 years ago, Polish Cardinal Karol Wojtyla was elected pope and became the head of our beloved Church.

As we look back and celebrate the papacy of a man who will surely go down in history as one of the world’s greatest leaders, we find an individual who has become universally respected, not only by the members of our faith, but also by those of other denominations, and even people who do not embrace religion at all.

Because of his dedication to the causes of building peace and helping the poor, Pope John Paul II has been a hero in many people’s eyes. And because of his challenge to live the Gospel values given to us by Jesus Christ, his prolific writings and his unwavering protection for all human life, he has been a leader who has shaped and defined both the Church and the world.

What has always been so impressive about the Holy Father, is that what he asks of us is what he lives himself. He is a man in the world, not of the world. His own example has inspired so many people across the globe and brought them to Christ.

And now, through his illness, he has given witness to the fact that a person can be powerful and effective in all phases of his life, even while aging and bearing with infirmity. The impact that he still has on people of all ages is unfathomable, especially with the youth of this world. And he still has incredible drive, continuing to visit more countries and canonize more saints than any other pope. This very week, rather than resting on the laurels of his jubilee, the Holy Father will turn the spotlight of attention over to Mother Teresa of Calcutta, whom he will beatify on Oct. 19.

I am honored that I have been able to meet Pope John Paul II a few times. But whether we have met him personally or not, it is understood by most that this is a person who will come along only once in our lifetime. We are all blessed to have lived during his papacy.

As he observes his quarter-century-long ministry, it is my prayer that our Holy Father does not bear too much suffering in his illness and that he continues to be a beacon to all of us.