the tolling of the local church bells marks the start of the requiem mass for our beloved Pope John Paul II.
it's one of the largest funeral in history but that's not what matters.
the pilgrims gather faithfully in St. Peter's Basilica, each with their own personal emotions.
the 2-half-hour mass came to an end when the Pope's coffin was carried back into the Basilica.
i managed to keep my emotions in check during the broadcast but when the coffin was turned towards the crowd and held aloft with the sun shining on it, i knew it was the last time and burst into tears.
the bells of St Peter's tolled and the gathered pilgrims applauded - their last mark of respect for a great man.

China did not attend the funeral because the Vatican extended an invitation to the Taiwanese president.
i'm utterly disappointed. why did they have to be so political even at the funeral of a moral leader? just put aside your political views. think of the countless people who travelled miles but were not allowed entrance into the square.

my wish is to visit the Vatican City and the crypt where my beloved pontiff lay.
i've felt the urge to attend masses now, so far i've attended 2.
there's a youth commerative mass for the pope @ novena church 7.30pm this coming friday. do attend if you want to.
people like to ask why we attend mass when we're not catholics. actually i see no fault in non-catholics attending mass. for me, i just want to pay my respects and say my prayers.

i actually feel sad that many news sites have taken down their obituary sites for the Pope.
i know he has been laid to rest and there are many other important world news to focus on but i just can't bear to see the attention shifted away.
because with the loss in propaganda, people's memories of him will diminish with time.
my mum says i'm crazy because even the catholics don't go for masses and i fervently attend them now.

sometimes religion can really be a dilemma.
especially when religion isn't by choice, when you're born into a family already following a certain religion.
i think many people today just proclaim themselves as of a particular religion but don't exactly have complete faith.
they should be ashamed of themselves.
for me, i will remain a free-thinker until i have absolute faith.



the Pope was someone who strived and persevered in whatever he believed in admidst criticisms.
i hope i can also tackle a simple task of studying hard for my exams with the same determination he had.