Year In Review - The Top 15 Newsmakers of 2005 - #4

Pope John Paul II, leader of the Church since 1979, passed away this spring after years of failing health. The outpouring upon his death was emotional and sustained, as this man was admired by people all over the world as an advocate for justice, peace and forgiveness through the teachings of Jesus Christ.

My impression was that it brought many Catholics back in touch with their faith and reminded a lot of us that it's not really about rules or dogma but how you live your life. For many non-Catholics, I think it caused a lot of people to ask themselves, "What's it really all about?"

John Paul's successor, Pope Benedict, was a former cardinal in Germany. Many liberals were saddened to see that the Vatican braintrust had chosen someone to lead the Church who was, well, Catholic.

No doubt Benedict, as John Paul did, will continue to challenge (and annoy, for that matter) both members and non-members of the Church.