Originally, I wasn't going to write anything regarding the death of Pope John Paul II, having of late written enough about religious matters, but a programme on BBC1 this evening looking back over his papacy has led me to change my mind.
I'm no fan of the Roman Catholic church, profoundly disgreeing with it on many issues, but I'd be the first to admit that this pope was a very impressive man. What the programme reminded me about was John Paul II back in his prime, long before he became a sick old man.
He'd travelled all over the world, is reputed to have met more people than anyone else - ever - and beyond doubt played a major role in the fall of communism. That's not a bad CV and whatever one's religious views surely nobody would disagree that he'll be a hard act to follow.