How Pope St. John Paul II changed my life (and still does)

“I never dreamed I would have the opportunity to meet the saintly pontiff a dozen times or so through the years, most of those while studying in Rome. He never lost his sense of humor even as his health began to fail. I remember handing him a set of petitions from my home parish, the name ‘St. Anne’s Catholic Church’ printed in large letters on the envelope so the photographers could capture it, and I would have proof of its delivery. His Holiness knew perfectly well what I was up to and let out a chuckle as he slapped me across the face with the envelope. The writings of John Paul II led me to philosophy, something I hardly imagined would one day earn me a meager but decent salary studying, teaching, and writing.”