Speaking to the assembled cardinals last weekend, Pope John Paul said that Courage in proclaiming the gospel must never diminish. Indeed, until the last breath it must be our principal duty.



His ability to speak at length is failing quickly, and there is deep sadness in watching his infirmity, in being a witness as he bears witness, and as he is poured out.



There is a treasure house of the Holy Father's writings, reflections, and exhortations, and to spend time there and read is always to hear his urgent and powerful voice proclaiming the Lord Jesus Christ and the Cross of our salvation.



But another time is come. In the words of Tadeusz Styczen, rector of Lublin University: The time for speeches is over. Now we must listen to the silence of the Pope. He speaks to us fully in those silences. Eloquent silences.