Who was the greatest Pope?

A poll slot which appeared in The Times on April 5 listed five popes, John Paul II, Paul VI, John XXIII, Pius XII and Leo XIII and asked "who of them was the greatest". Besides Albino Luciani, Pope John Paul I, other popes between Leo XIII and Pius XII were left out.

It is firmly believed in Catholic circles that the final choice of a new Pope rests exclusively with the Holy Spirit. History teaches that every Pope is assigned a special mission according to the times. The times and problems of John Paul II were different from those of Pius XII or Leo XIII who was prisoner in the Vatican. The sick and ailing Pope John Paul I, who succeeded the ailing Paul VI who had carried the weight and was martyr of Vatican Council II, gave the Church the encouraging smile the Church needed so badly at that time. His mission was over after 33 days.

John Paul II is already being acclaimed as "John Paul The Great" and youths are clamouring for his beatification. He certainly was a great Pope; but so were the other popes during their time.

Pius XII was termed by John Paul II as "Un grande Papa". Pope John XXIII reigned for four years, yet in that short time he saved the world from a Third World War and opened the Vatican Council II. He is still remembered as "The Good Pope John".

Every Pope must be judged according to the times of his papacy.