The pope is old

Pope John Paul II is in bad health and suffering from Parkinson's disease and other ailments. In spite of this, he has continued to speak out against the injustices in the world. But is anyone listening? Every time the pope speaks, the secular media reports the pope is in bad health and that he's not going to step down. Have we lost the ability to hear his voice because of his health?\nThis pope has worked tirelessly to bring peace and justice into the world. He has spoken out for the poor in Latin America, South America, Africa, Eastern Europe, East Asia, the Middle East and the people on our own city streets. He has spoken against abortion, the death penalty, human trafficking and ethnic warfare. He has even apologized for the Crusades, the Spanish Inquisition and the silence of Catholic leaders during World War II. Many of these issues were widely discussed in the media when the pope was younger and healthier. But now he's old, frail and dying. So does he really have anything important to tell us, that he already hasn't said that is still worth hearing?\nThe answer to that question is "yes". Because of the position he holds as the Bishop of Rome -- a position he holds until death -- he has the prominence to address worldwide audiences and because of his title, speak with clout on current issues.\nBy remaining in the Vatican, despite his age and illnesses, he continues to speak against the injustices in the world and calls for peace. He's being a witness to everyone by being old and having an authoritative position. Just because someone is old, it doesn't mean he or she doesn't understand the world's problems or that he or she isn't interested in solving them.\nBut his message is much more than that: He's telling us that just because he's old, it doesn't mean that we can dismiss him. This is evident by the people who are calling for his resignation because of his frailty and age. That would be a mistake. By remaining in his position, he continues to preach one of the core themes of his papacy: human dignity.\nBut have we still forgotten about him? The secular news media today no longer discuss his calls for peace and justice in the world. Gone are the days when the media reported on what he said because he said it. This happened with his Easter message, which was read by the Holy See Secretary of State. According to The Associated Press, the pope's Good Friday message stated: "I also offer my suffering, so that God's design is completed and his word walks among the people," he said in the message. "I am near all those who in these moments are tested by suffering. I pray for each of them."\nLater Easter Sunday the Pope wrote in his Urbi et Orbi prayer, "Grant that the material progress of peoples may never obscure the spiritual values which are the soul of their civilization," according to The Holy See Web site. However, CNN didn't report on his Easter message. It only reported on his frailty and how he blessed people from his apartment window. \nEspecially during Easter, John Paul continues his calls for peace, but instead of focusing on his sermons, the media only reports on his health condition. It continues to be "the Pope is in Gemelli Hospital." Or, "the Pope waved from his window." \nIt's time we discuss the importance of the elderly in our society and not marginalize them, stick them in a nursing home and forget about them. In the twilight of his life, that's the pope's most important message.