Even twenty years after his passing, Saint Pope John Paul II continues to captivate young people. This enduring attraction is not merely the result of parents passing down admiration for a beloved saint. Like all saints, John Paul II left a profound legacy that continues to inspire. Yet, there is something uniquely powerful about him — his radiant joy, his bold challenge to strive for greatness, and his unwavering life of prayer. He had “it”— an unmistakable presence that drew people in, not by mere charisma but by the undeniable depth of his spirit. As I meet young people today who are drawn to him, I reflect on my own encounter with John Paul II and the ways in which he shaped my life and captivated me.
Developmental psychologists say that the heroes a child has in the early years of adolescence play a pivotal role in shaping the character of who that young man or woman will be. Hopefully, I avoid painting myself in too idealistic of a light. But I always remain grateful that my parents brought me and my sisters to see JP2 at World Youth Day in Toronto in 200. Reflecting on that encounter, I wondered: what made John Paul II’s presence so powerful? Was it simply his status as pope, or was there something more? The answer, I realized, lay in his extraordinary charisma.”
1. Charisma
I remember it raining for most of the night before Sunday Mass with John Paul II. It was a cloudy, humid day — a day you wish you were not stuck in a field full of thousands of sweaty teens. And shortly after the pope’s arrival the sun came out, shining on all of us. Without missing a beat, John Paul II remarked that it was a sign that God wanted us all there. The faithful cheered, and John Paul II gave his signature grin.
What was it about him that so naturally elicited such response? He was charismatic. Charisma is that magnetic appeal that draws people to himself. A charismatic person is the one everyone wants to be around. You can almost see the pull such a person has on others. The word “charisma” comes from the Greek χάρισμα which means “favor freely given” and the “gift of grace”. Words like eucharist literally just mean “good favor freely given”. The Greeks understood charisma as a gift from the gods, a favor the gods have bestowed on certain individuals. The famous German sociologist Max Weber, writing on charismatic authority, defines charisma as:
” [A] certain quality of an individual personality, by virtue of which he is set apart from ordinary men and treated as endowed with supernatural, superhuman, or at least specifically exceptional powers or qualities. These are such as are not accessible to the ordinary person, but are regarded as of divine origin or as exemplary, and on the basis of them the individual concerned is treated as a leader. . . . How the quality in question would be ultimately judged from an ethical, aesthetic, or other such point of view is naturally indifferent for the purpose of definition.”
Despite the authority of his papap office, John Paul II possessed an inner charisma that was essential during a time of crisis in the Church. His charismatic authority brought stability to the Church and attracted the youth to her ways. And he did all this with a gentle smile.
2. That smile!
John Paul II’s smile was probably what first endeared me to the Pope when I was young. Even though I know he could be stern and reprimanding, John Paul II’s welcoming smile and tender eyes made put the whole world at ease, perhaps even his enemies. In Holy Trinity Basilica in Krakow (the historical Dominican Church in Old Town) there is an icon of the Holy Mother and the Christ Child. It is in the southeast corner chapel of the Basilica. Many people probably do not notice it—there are so many Mother and Child icons in Poland that you glean over the details—but Mary’s smile is small but so full of joy that instantly gets shared with you, helping you see the world with hopeful eyes. And the Christ child is fully sharing in that joy, partaking in what almost looks like play. I often imagine John Paul II in this chapel after a long, hard day in Krakow administering to the needs of his flock in Communist Poland. At first, he breathes out his sorrow and pain but once he looks up at the joyful mother and child and takes in their little smiles, he partakes in their play.
3. Play
I cannot think of a more playful pope than John Paul II. I cannot find the video, but there is a recording of John Paul II in America with an audience of school children. John Paul II had a script in hand but he decided to go off script and started to make random noise sounds with his mic. The kids caught on to the playfulness and started to play back. But in the background you can see very formal looking bishops nervous about the playful exchange, hoping that John Paul II would quickly go back on script. But he didn’t! He continued to play. His playful character allowed him to connect with people in the room, especially young adults.
4. Connection
That is why so many young people felt a connection to him. At World Youth Day in Toronto it hit me that here I am as a young kid feeling like an 81 year old understands me better than anyone else. In reference to his charisma, I believe his ability to connect with anyone no matter the age or background was because of his profound experience of his humanity. He loved his humanity in the way that God loves humanity, i.e. to the point of becoming human and willingly entering our dark abyss for redemption. He could connect with anyone because he understood and loved humanity. But he did not just leave it at “I’m okay, you’re okay.” No, he proposed a challenge.
5. The Challenge
John Paul II’s challenge was simple yet profound: ‘Become what you are.’ In a world that often confuses identity with fleeting desires, he reminded young people of their deeper purpose. To be made in the image of God is not just a fact—it is a call to holiness. His message was not one of passive acceptance but of transformation. He urged us to rise, to strive for virtue, to let God shape us into who we were truly meant to be. He did not lower the bar to accommodate modern culture; instead, he raised it, challenging us to take up our cross and follow Christ without compromise.
6. Prayer
The year that I went on World Youth Day a priest told me about the daily schedule of John Paul II, and what most impressed me about the Pope was not how much he did each day but that he always found time to pray. In 1 Thessalonians, St. Paul calls us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). People may find this to be impossible, but some monks find a way of praying with each breath. They do this praying the Jesus Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” By simply invoking the divine name, Jesus becomes present. I am not sure if John Paul II prayed the Jesus prayer but it was sure within him. For him, Jesus was always present amidst the contingencies of each day. Often his busy schedule would get delayed because along the way he discovered a chapel with adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Praying, being with Jesus, was his priority. John Paul II understood that the busyness of the day would be in vain if Christ was not the priority. Some people mocked his public prayer, finding it for show and not genuine. But he was teaching an increasingly secular world the importance of silent prayer to help modern man remember his identity as homo adorans. As a young adult, I sensed that this was the true way to live. And John Paul II became my model.
It is a joy to see young people still captivated by this saint, traveling to Krakow to walk in his footsteps and discover his legacy. But John Paul II’s influence is not just a relic of the past—it is a challenge for today. His life was a bold testament to what it means to live with purpose, with courage, and with deep faith. His example stands as a beacon, reminding us that Jesus is the way. The “JP2 Generation” is not a thing of the past. It is a call still echoing today.
