The life and leadership of Pope John Paul II were inspiring, even in the physical weakness of his later years, said Pennsylvania Catholic Conference executive director Dr. Robert J. O’Hara, Jr.

In a statement, O’Hara said the Pope’s “clear and unambiguous teaching and his tireless commitment to the weakest among us — the poor, the elderly, the sick, and the unborn — not only provided guidance to conferences such as ours, but over the course of his pontificate, created public dialogue on issues of fundamental importance.”

"We, like so many others, will miss him and now, as always, will remember him in our prayers," he stated.