Jan Paul II, Polish Pope and a great man, has departed the land of the living. A leader! For those who listened carefully to his words and tried to follow them, he lives on and for many – has just been reborn. Only today have they discovered the true meaning of his message, a message they earlier overlooked. Only now do they understand his mission, which was never a topic for consideration, and see the value in deeds that were never noticed before. They have witnessed greatness, which at one time intellect could not fathom.

John Paul II is on everyone’s lips. This is a positive development because everyone can find something in his words that is able to push us as human beings towards our own humanity. However, our society – like every other – is made up of the good and bad, the intelligent and unintelligent, those for whom the very name of John Paul II is holy and those who do not hesitate to use it for their own purposes.

With varying degrees of awareness, many people are trying to use the portrait of John Paul II in creating a vision of their own lives, molding his words to fit their own version of the big picture. For a “worthy cause” and “in his name” they are creating programs which have nothing in common with the life and message of the pope and initiating campaigns involving the public. This is a public so clearly bereft of any direction that it agrees to both wise and foolhardy proposals and cannot differentiate between good and bad ideas.

It is evident that Poles lack not only time-tested authorities, but a leader. One can see that people in various positions do not even trust their own powers of reason and cannot see what is right and what is wrong, what should be accepted and what rejected. They are not sure whether they have the right to make such judgments if the subject in question is related to the Holy Father. We now know that the pope was a greater authority than anyone might have believed. This is mostly clearly seen among young people, so occupied with making money, lobbying on behalf of business, building a career and dealing with their own ideological chaos that they had left themselves behind. During the first days of mourning, young people started a variety of initiatives intended to honor the memory of a spiritual leader but also…to extend his life and fill the void his death created with action.

Our youth are strong, with the ability to communicate using the Internet and mobile phones, and therefore have more forums than adults (schools, discos, clubs, stadiums and youth organizations) for launching these types of activities. Those who would underestimate this strength should be reminded of the presidential elections in South Korea in 2002, when their mobilization over the Internet brought millions of young Koreans to the election booths to vote for the “man from nowhere” – Roh Moo Hun. He was elected president despite a lack of attention devoted to his candidacy by the media or support from the Korean establishment.

I don’t know how it looked in Korea, but in Poland the appeals sent by SMS and email also reached adults, sometimes entirely by accident, some of whom work in rather high positions of responsibility. It seemed that youth, in the name of the Holy Father, had captured the steering wheel in Poland – all thanks to youth marches, meetings in a few key locations and the lighting of candles in the intention of the departed pope. The efficiency of these campaigns as well as the behavior of participants was impressive. Nonetheless these events were completely beyond the control of local governments, the State and the Church.

At the same time, not even the sincerest of emotions is enough to manage the nation. We need maturity, which is characterized by a balance between courage and prudence. Young people (as a whole), on the continuum “from courage to prudence,” have more in common with the former trait. This is no surprise since prudence is the accumulation of experience, more balanced hormonal levels and the ability to hold one’s emotions in check as well as the ability to analyze and synthesize events and reach conclusions. In this respect young people have a right to count on us – adults. However, it turns out that, lost between what is good and evil, right and wrong, adult Poles are also unable to act prudently. They lack leaders.

During the week of mourning, a time of reflection, consideration and positive declarations, I received SMS and emails from various “mature” people in positions of responsibility like the following: “This is a ladder to heaven for John Paul II. Send it to four individuals and four angels will help you in life. If you don’t pass the message on, terrible years are ahead.” I received this particularly message from a plastic surgeon, a manager in a large company, the head of a youth organization and a student of the law department. I didn’t pass it on and would like to explain to my readers why. The thoughtlessness of people from whom one might expect a little more prudence and…gravity is amazing.

What does the universal message of John Paul II have to do with the stupidity of such a text? What does it serve, other than to increase the income of mobile telephone operators (which is not yet entirely without sense)?

A similar appeal, but just as nonsensical, asked people to turn out their lights on Friday, April 8 at 9:37 p.m. Aside from the owner of an advertising agency, a high school director and a few other unknown numbers, I also received this message by email from members of political parties and deputies. Television stations joined the appeal and its overeager supporters turned off the lights in entire apartment blocks (who has the right to make such a decision!?) and on the streets.

I was also opposed to this proposition and replied that I didn’t think John Paul II would have wanted all of Poland to be plunged into darkness. Turning out the lights is not only a health hazard (which was proven by events connected with this campaign), but also implies a negative association. Poland, even without John Paul II, should not “go out.” The pope himself was supposedly a source of hope. Leave lights on in his memory – absolutely. Turn them off – never. Why did so few people have the courage to say this to others at the time? There were no leaders to show young people the path on which the beautiful saying “Do not be afraid!” would combine with a feeling of security provided by adults, thinking individuals who are responsible for Poland.

The ideas of the young are often the product of emotion and spontaneity. This is a wonderful thing, but only has a short-term effect – as was demonstrated by soccer fans. Two days after the funeral that united them, some began fighting again – although there were examples of new, peaceful behavior. We need prudent and consistent goal implementation. The death of John Paul II awoke the good in people. However, it seems that some would like to extend the funeral ceremony and in turn the positive presence of the pope indefinitely.

Nonetheless we have to start living again. We are orphans, but this requires even more responsibility, particularly from adults. Let’s talk about the Holy Father, but not in terms of paying him homage, but about how to follow his example. He was a great leader: he united people around beautiful causes that everyone could identify with and brought out the best in people. That is how great leaders work. Let us be leaders for young people in every way, as fathers and mothers who set an example worth emulating, as well as teachers and social guides.

John Paul II had the courage to ask for forgiveness and his testaments reveal a great humility. Perhaps it would be worthwhile to learn how to admit our mistakes and say “I’m sorry?” Perhaps instead of learning social manipulation techniques from imported and domestic “crash-course psychologists,” we could learn how to effectively manage people, a life based on the natural principles of efficiency and develop a few new habits without which we lose our credibility as human beings. We would benefit more from a trainer of healthy moral fiber. Perhaps we should learn how to awake enthusiasm within ourselves, even when our strength fails and our lives must reflect a faith in what we profess. This is a task for today’s leaders. They must become credible. The secret of the pope’s victory among so many different peoples and ideas rests in his inner harmony and credibility – not in consultation with image specialists in the field of political marketing.

Perhaps John Paul II has yet again created an opportunity for unity and joint action in Poland. Maybe he will link those who want a IV Republic, or those who want to divide one Poland from another, and supporters of a smooth continuation?

The milestone is behind us. Poland has a chance to become a better place and yet we have models to follow. We require only wise individuals, leaders who have been transformed by the life and death of John Paul II.

There is a chance to regain the trust of our youth. Let us use the teachings of John Paul II. I believe the nation, particularly our youth, is waiting for someone to talk about what the pope’s life and death allowed us to understand and…how it allowed us to change. Simple words and yet ideas that need to be clear to everyone. Let us incorporate them into our daily lives and reach for them when in need. Let us remember, however, that this is connected with the danger of being unmasked.

Even the best quotes from homilies by John Paul II won’t help us without deeds of truth. This is a heads up to those who are responsible for the image of our country today: for the Church, media and politicians. John Paul II once again demonstrated, perhaps even politicians, how strong the nation is. That strength can be enlightened or lead us further into the darkness. The second scenario is a dangerous one indeed. Don’t turn out the lights that burn in youth and other Poles across the country! You never know when history has started a new chapter. Maybe this is precisely that moment.