As Pope John Paul II marks his 25th anniversary as leader of the Roman Catholic Church, many area residents are recalling their connection to the pontiff.

Seeing the pope is such a memorable event that few people can forget the impression he left on them.

The Rev. Tom Kiefer, pastor at St. Mary's Cathedral in Cape Girardeau remembers when Pope John Paul II was elected in 1978.

"He brought charisma to the youth in our world," he said.

Kiefer, who was ordained just three years later, had the chance to meet the pontiff personally during a trip to Rome.

While few people get an audience with the pope, many crowd the arenas and venues whenever he visits a city. And since his last visit to the United States in 1999 was as close as St. Louis, thousands of area Catholics attended services there.

Diana and Ira Judd of Scott City and their eight children were among the thousands who saw the pope.

"It was really amazing to be in the same building that he was," Ira Judd said. "The kids got closer than I did, within 15 feet of him in the popemobile."

But seeing the pope wasn't about being able to get close enough to touch him, it was about being in his presence, Judd said. "How many times are you going to get to Rome to see him?"

Judd said he believes John Paul II has been good for the church during the past quarter-century. "He's standing by the old laws and he's against abortion and for celibacy of the priests."

The pontiff has returned the church to its traditions, Judd said. "And to think I was in the same building as St. Peter's direct descendant gives me chills to think about it even now."

While there is fanfare and celebrating planned in Vatican City Thursday to mark the pope's anniversary, there is no official celebration planned in the diocese.

But the Rev. Charlie Prost, pastor at St. Vincent de Paul parish, said he expects many will remember the pope in their prayers on that day. "I'm sure we'll be praying with and for the Holy Father and he'll be more in our thoughts," Prost said.

Prost was ordained in the same year that John Paul II was elected as pope.

ljohnston@semissourian.com

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