Arnold Recalls Pope John Paul II.
Meeting the Pope: "highlight of our lives."
Reported By: TheARNOLDFANS.com Staff
Monday, April 4, 2005

Schwarzenegger, said he was deeply saddened by the death of Pope John Paul II, praising him as a "beacon of virtue, strength and goodness."

The Roman Catholic film star and his wife, Maria Shriver, recalled meeting the late pontiff at the Vatican many years ago, saying it was the "highlight of our lives."

"Maria and I are deeply saddened by the passing of Pope John Paul II," the couple said in a statement.

"In a world of challenges, Pope John Paul II was a beacon of virtue, strength and goodness.

"He was an extraordinary pope and a profoundly deep and spiritual man who lived his life on this earth in a truly noble and exemplary way. As Catholics we admired his leadership," the couple said.

The late pope set a standard for the compassionate, ethical and understanding of all religions, the couple said, emphasizing the pope's intellectual and moral strength.

"He took his message around the world and touched millions. He will be forever remembered for the truly remarkable way he lived his life and led his church," they said.

Pope John Paul II died at the Vatican on Saturday. His body is displayed in the Clementine Hall at the Vatican's Apostolic Palace Sunday April 3, 2005, as Cardinal Eduardo Martinez Somalo, left, sprays holy water on the body in this image taken from television.