"Today is a time to recall Pope John Paul II, but it is also a time for rededication," said Fr. Leahy. "A time to rededicate our lives to our core religious and cultural values.

"That means different things for each of us. But the life of John Paul II invites us to think how we live, how we respond to those in need, and how we build up the community around us."

Fr. Leahy described John Paul II as a pilgrim "traveling the road of life with a powerful sense of mission," who in his lifetime had overcome both Nazism and Communism and for all his various trials had "emerged more compassionate...clear and steadfast in his views.

"May he rest in peace," said Fr. Leahy at the conclusion of his remarks, "and may we draw strength from his example."

Director of Campus Ministry Rev. James Erps, SJ, led the service, which included recitations by BC students of some of the pope's more memorable public comments, and hymns led by members of the Liturgy Arts Group.

A memorial Mass was to be held that evening in St. Ignatius Church.

The crowd of mainly students, faculty and staff that assembled in O'Neill Plaza waited quietly for the service to begin, appearing more reflective than outwardly grief-stricken. Lynch School of Education sophomore Melissa Pelletier, of Monroe, Ct., said, "I don't see this as a tragic event, because the pope was with us for so many years and did so much. This is really a chance to come together, to pray together and show respect for what he has done."

Like her fellow students, Pelletier noted that John Paul II "was the only pope we ever knew," and for them had defined the papacy through a litany of accomplishments and by his continual expression of selflessness and sacrifice.

Lindsay Williams, a College of Arts and Sciences freshman from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., said one of her first impressions of the pope came in the pages of a theology book during high school: "I remember reading how, after his assassination attempt, he had visited the man who had tried to kill him [Mehmet Ali Agca] and forgave him. I just thought how remarkable that was for someone to do."

A&S sophomore Daniel Grejdus of Billerica, who recalled getting "within 10 to 15 feet" of the pope during the 2002 World Youth Day in Toronto, said, "For me, he was a grandfather, with his wisdom and his words. People might not necessarily obey what he said, but I think they took his words to heart. While some may look to athletes or celebrities as role models, many of us see the pope as someone around whom you want to shape your life and the way you treat others."

Troy, NY, native Thomas McGuirk, an A&S sophomore, agreed. "I think even non-Catholics admire him greatly for his humanity."

In his greeting, Fr. Erps said the man who was once "an obscure Polish bishop" would be recalled as a great leader who "during his life and ministry was seen and heard personally by more people than anyone in the history of our planet."

Fr. Erps praised the pope as an advocate for the poor and developing world, and for human rights, and who had "called on all cultures to better respect the great gift of life." The pope also had made a point of reaching out to different faiths, added Fr. Erps, noting that John Paul II was the first pontiff "to visit a mosque, the first in centuries to enter a synagogue, and first to visit visit leaders of the Orthodox Church since the Schism of 1054."

Fr. Erps read a prayer composed by John Paul II during his final days: "It is love which converts hearts and gives peace to all humanity; humanity -- which today seems so lost and dominated by the power of selfishness and fear: our resurrected Lord gives us his love, which forgives, reconciles and opens the soul to hope."

Undergraduate Government of Boston College President Grace Simmons '05 and Vice President Burnell Holland '05 read a series of John Paul II quotations. These included his views on many social and political issues of the day: "Science can purify religion from error and superstition. Religion can purify science from idolatry and false absolutes"; "Modern society will find no solution to the ecological problem unless it takes a serious look at its lifestyles. The future starts today, not tomorrow."

Other quotes demonstrated John Paul II's fervent belief in peace as a means to social justice -- "On my knees I beg you to turn away from the paths of violence and return to the ways of peace. You may claim to seek justice. I too believe in justice and seek justice. But violence only delays the day of justice. Violence destroys the work of justice." -- and his strong disapproval of anti-Semitism, credited by many as having helped to bridge the centuries-old animosity between Christians and Jews: "Once again, I state strongly, the Church, 'deplores the hatred, persecutions and displays of anti-Semitism directed against the Jews at any time and by anyone.' I repeat, 'By anyone.'"

But other quotes read by Simmons and Burnell showed the pope's human, and humorous side: I have a sweet tooth for song and music. This is my Polish sin"; "It is unbecoming for a cardinal to ski badly." The latter comment drew quiet chuckles and grins from many in the audience.

At the end of the service, as the Liturgy Arts Group performed the hymn "On Eagle's Wings," members of the audience walked up to sign a memorial book on a table in front of the speaker's platform. Within several seconds, the line stretched back to the second set of stairs on the plaza. As the line continued to form, nearby a young woman tearfully embraced her companion.