Adults admired pope

Victor DeVito, 43, a parishioner of St. Ambrose in Latham: "I think he brought the Church back to Christ's most basic teachings and taught it by living it out. He went out and proclaimed the Gospel around the world. My most vivid memory of the Pope is of him opening the millennium doors."

Sister James Marie Carras, of St. Ambrose in Latham: "My most vivid memory of the Pope was World Youth Day in Denver. Hearing all of the young people saying, 'We love you,' and he said it back to them sticks in my mind. His involvement with the youth will have a lasting impact. For many young people, this is the only pope they have known. He reached out to young people. I think we will see more vocations because of him. His death and the media coverage of it will help educate our young people on the traditions of the Church in selecting a new pope. He was a pope of the people. He proclaimed the faith with dignity and compassion, and was an inspiration. He lived the faith to the end."

Cindy Cooper, 53, a parishioner of Corpus Christi in Round Lake: "He was the greatest peacemaker I've known. He is responsible for the fall of communism. His most lasting mark is found in the youth. He meant so much not just to adults but to kids as well. He made everyone feel involved [in the Church.] He helped people see we could all make a difference, whether we were a child, a teen or an adult. I don't remember feeling that way about the pope when I was a child."

Kelly Case, 38, a parishioner of St. Clement's in Saratoga Springs: "I admired seeing him reach out to the world. He did much to bridge the gap between religions. My most vivid memory is seeing him putting a letter of apology on the Wailing Wall [in Jerusalem], apologizing to the Jewish people. I think his most lasting mark on the world is his role in the fall of communism."

(Reported by Maureen McGuinness.)

(4/7/05)