Pope John Paul II was undeniably the greatest evangelist of modern times. He leaves us an evangelising legacy that will mark the Church for many future generations. It is no coincidence that his own death was so firmly linked to the Feast of the Divine Mercy. In a world so threatened by evil in all its many forms, he boldly proclaimed the message of God's infinite mercy for all people's, as an apostle of hope. It's a message that so many of our contemporaries need to hear and it's our duty to share it with them.

The example of Pope John Paul II gave Catholics worldwide a sense of confidence combined with humility, that we have something wonderful to offer the world – the message of the Gospel. He will be remembered as John Paul the Great not merely because of the longevity of his reign, but because his papacy covered so many different aspects of life in such depth. He showed that the Gospel affected every aspect of life and he applied the Gospel to questions about human dignity, defence of the poor, the protection of life and this application extended to his work with those from other faiths. In all this, he showed to perfection that Christ is the answer to all human questions and he boldly proclaimed this reality.

Finally, even through his suffering and death, John Paul II witnessed to the message of the Gospel. He lived what he proclaimed until his last breath, always pointing others to the person of Jesus Christ . His lasting legacy is that he challenges us all, in all circumstances, to do the same. We will miss him, but will continue to be inspired by his fearless evangelising example in the years ahead.

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Some Quotations from Pope John Paul II on evangelisation

This passion will not fail to stir in the Church a new sense of mission, which cannot be left to a group of "specialists" but must involve the responsibility of all the members of the People of God. Those who have come into genuine contact with Christ cannot keep him for themselves, they must proclaim him. A new apostolic outreach is needed, which will be lived as the everyday commitment of Christian communities and groups. ( Novo Millennio Ineunte 40)

Dear young people, the Church needs genuine witnesses for the new evangelisation: men and women whose lives have been transformed by meeting with Jesus , men and women who are capable of communicating this experience to others. The Church needs saints. All are called to holiness, and holy people alone can renew humanity. Many have gone before us along this path of Gospel heroism, and I urge you to turn often to them to pray for their intercession. ( Speech at Castel Gandolfo , 6 August 2004 )

Today the Church feels called to relive with a renewed commitment all that the Master did with his apostles, urged on as she is by the deep and rapid transformations in the societies and culture of our age; by the multiplicity and diversity of contexts in which she announces the Gospel and witnesses to it; …..and by the absolute necessity that the "new evangelization" have priests as its initial "new evangelizers." ( Pastores Dabo Vobis , 2)

From the perpetuation of the sacrifice of the Cross and her communion with the body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist, the Church draws the spiritual power needed to carry out her mission. The Eucharist thus appears as both the source and the summit of all evangelization, since its goal is the communion of mankind with Christ and in him with the Father and the Holy Spirit. ( Ecclesia de Eucharistia 22)

“Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel!" (1 Cor 9: 16) In the name of the whole Church, I sense an urgent duty to repeat this cry of St. Paul . From the beginning of my Pontificate I have chosen to travel to the ends of the earth in order to show this missionary concern. My direct contact with peoples who do not know Christ has convinced me even more of the urgency of missionary activity . ( Redemptoris Missio , 1)

Be certain! The Gospel of hope does not disappoint! Throughout the vicissitudes of your history, yesterday and today, it is a the light which illumines and directs your way; it is the strength which sustains you in trials; it is the prophecy of a new world; it is the sign of a new beginning; it is the invitation to everyone, believers and non- believers alike, to blaze new trails leading to a “Europe of the spirit”, in order to make the continent a true “common home” filled with the joy of life. ( Ecclesia in Europa, 121 )