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Home , Pope John Paul II

552 Apr. 2 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2005

is getting smaller, the consequences of un- our Declaration, and the ‘‘blessings of lib- derestimating a threat could be tens of thou- erty’’ that follow from them. ‘‘It is these sands of innocent lives. I can assure you that truths,’’ he said, ‘‘that have led people all over the men and women in our intelligence com- the world to look to America with hope and munity are working around the clock and respect.’’ doing everything they can to keep us safe, John Paul II was, himself, an inspira- and my administration will continue to make tion to millions of Americans and to so many intelligence reforms that will allow them to more throughout the world. We will always identify threats before they fully emerge so remember the humble, wise, and fearless we can take action to protect the American who became one of history’s great people. moral leaders. We’re grateful to for Thank you for listening. sending such a man, a son of , who became the Bishop of and a hero for NOTE: The address was recorded at 7:34 a.m. on the ages. April 1 in the Cabinet Room at the for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on . The tran- script was made available by the Office of the NOTE: The President spoke at 4:02 p.m. in the Press Secretary on April 1 but was embargoed for Cross Hall at the White House. The Office of the release until the broadcast. In his remarks, the Press Secretary also released a President referred to Col. Muammar Abu Minyar transcript of these remarks. al-Qadhafi, leader of Libya. He also referred to the Commission on the Intelligence Capabilities of the Regarding Weapons of Proclamation 7881—Honoring the Destruction. The Office of the Press Secretary Memory of Pope John Paul II also released a Spanish language transcript of this address. April 2, 2005 By the President of the United States Remarks on the Death of Pope John of America Paul II April 2, 2005 A Proclamation As a mark of respect for Pope Laura and I join people across the Earth John Paul II, I hereby order, by the authority in mourning the passing of Pope John Paul vested in me by the Constitution and laws II. The has lost its shep- of the United States of America, that the flag herd. The world has lost a champion of of the United States shall be flown at half- freedom, and a good and faithful staff at the White House and on all public has been called home. buildings and grounds, at all military posts Pope John Paul II left the of and naval stations, and on all naval vessels Peter in the same way he ascended to it, as of the Federal Government in the District a witness to the of human life. In his of Columbia and throughout the United native Poland, that witness launched a demo- States and its Territories and possessions cratic revolution that swept Eastern until sunset on the day of his interment. I and changed the course of history. Through- also direct that the flag shall be flown at half- out the West, John Paul’s witness reminded staff for the same period at all United States us of our obligation to build a embassies, legations, consular offices, and in which the strong protect the weak. And other facilities abroad, including all military during the Pope’s final years, his witness was facilities and naval vessels and stations. made even more powerful by his daily cour- In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set age in the face of illness and great suffering. my hand this second day of April, in the year All belong to the world, but Ameri- of our Lord two thousand five, and of the cans had special reason to love the man from Independence of the United States of Amer- Krakow. In his visits to our country, the Pope ica the two hundred and twenty-ninth. spoke of our ‘‘providential’’ Constitution, the self-evident truths about human dignity in George W. Bush

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