The stewardship of Pope John Paul II is one marked by a love of and dedication to people, not only the Roman Catholics who view him as the head of their church, infallible on issues of faith and doctrine, but also those of different faiths whose lives were given meaning and dignity by his voice. He has set the standard of a modern Pope. His legacy is one of addressing the faith of his flock, as well as the social, political, scientific and technological issues that affect their lives—and their souls. Whether it was raising a voice against tyranny, or challenging world leaders and individuals to fight against hunger, poverty and human suffering, Pope John Paul II was there.

We have raised criticism in this space in the past about Pope John Paul’s role in the church, particularly here in the United States, where his apparent silence involving the sexual scandals over the past few years was painful, and we continue to believe his voice in many ways did not extend far enough and wide enough with regard to that crisis. Nor do we believe he had fully comprehended the church’s intractable position toward women’s roles, nor the level of terrorism in today’s world. But his life and his actions speak eloquently where his voice has not reached, and there is no doubt that he stood for peace and justice in all quarters of the world.

It is difficult, then, to comprehend what more his successor will accomplish. Perhaps the most effective course is to continue pursuing many of the things begun by Pope John Paul II, bringing people of all faiths together to fight against what threatens us all. Pope John Paul began that journey by recognizing the horrors of Hitler’s concentration camps, visiting more than 120 countries across the globe, and by opening loving and constructive dialogues with representatives of many faiths. The new leader of the Catholic Church can build upon that legacy by calling a religious summit. It is time now for faithful leaders of the world to speak of the ideals they share in common. But most important, to set the stage in which those who hide behind the cloak of religion to perpetuate their own agendas of hatred and political power and unrest can be fully unmasked.