No matter what one’s creed is, no one can argue against the fact that Karol Wojtila, Pope John Paul II, was a giant of a man and an inspiration to the human race, even as he lay dying on his deathbed.

Karol Wojtila the man was a hugely popular icon and a person who inspired awe as an individual as well as the head of the Catholic church.

No one can possibly forget watching him bang his fists in frustration at not being able to speak to the crowds that gathered for his blessing last Wednesday in St Peter’s Square.

It was a gesture that summed up Karol Wojtila’s perseverence and fighting spirit.

The Pope battled against illness with a grit and determination more akin to an athlete than a religious person, but perhaps this is why he was, in fact, dubbed “God’s Athlete”.

He survived being shot, a cancerous tumour, Parkinson’s disease and myriad other ailments, yet his spirit never dimmed, not even for an instant. If we all looked at this man and took his actions as an example, we would all, in ourselves, be much better people.

His determination should never be misconstrued as pride. He was the person who asked for forgiveness for the Church’s wrong-doings – a great act of humility.

Many around the world will still be mourning today, and while it is understandable that we grieve over the loss of such a great man, we should perhaps remember him with fondness during his better days.

Those who have seen the 1980’s video footage of him hiking through rolling green fields in his white robes, a staff and tremendously bulky running shoes, will know what is meant by this statement.

There was so much to love about Carol Wojtila the man. He was a skier, an actor and a huge football fan who, believe it or not, had a framed and autographed picture of his favourite Lazio player and the greatest prankster in football – Paul Gascoigne – on his desk.

This is what endeared the Pope to the younger generation so much, the fact that while he stuck to his role as leader of the Roman Catholic Church, he was also at the same time very, very human in essence.

He once told young Muslims in Casablanca that “we all worship the same God” and this is what made him special to youngsters.

He felt close to them and literally loved to have fun with them. After all, when he was on his deathbed, he uttered: “I have spent my life looking for you (the young) and now you have come to me”. Beautiful words indeed.

The Pope set an example even on his deathbed and we are sure that if he could have done, he would have gone to his window to bid farewell to those who were keeping vigil as he slowly slipped away – quite simply because that is the type of man he was.

He lay dying, having realised that he could no longer fight – that his injury and illness-ravaged body could no longer ward off the forces of time and nature.

He knew his time had come. Some said that he revelled in being in the spotlight, yet with this last act he showed that he was ready to meet his maker, that he only kept going because he felt it was God’s will for him to do so.

The moment he was told he was dying, he immediately accepted it and literally settled down to die in peace – in the place that had been his home for over 25 years and surrounded by thousands of people who clapped for him, prayed with him and chanted his name as well as prayers.

The world will miss two people: Pope John Paul II and Karol Wojtila. Both were giants of men and should serve to inspire us all – may the Lord bless them both.