@fish_on_fridays: Just 68 days before Archbishop Fulton Sheen died, Pope John Paul II embraced him and spoke words that would become one of the most memorable moments of his final days... ⤵️ 📅 October 22: Feast day of St. John Paul II And when you hear what the Pope said, you'll understand why this encounter continues to move Catholics decades later. It was October 2, 1979, at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. Pope John Paul II was making his first papal visit to the United States when he encountered one of America's most famous Catholic evangelists, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. For decades, Sheen had dedicated his life to proclaiming the Gospel, defending the Catholic faith, and bringing people closer to Jesus Christ. Through his television programs, radio broadcasts, books, and sermons, he became one of the most recognizable Catholic voices of the 20th century. But during that historic papal visit, something extraordinary happened. Pope John Paul II embraced the elderly archbishop and, according to widely circulated accounts, told him: "You have written and spoken well of the Lord Jesus Christ. You are a loyal son of the Church." Think about that for a moment. After decades of preaching Christ to millions, Fulton Sheen received a deeply personal expression of appreciation from the Pope himself. But here's what makes this moment even more emotional. Just 68 days later, on December 9, 1979, Archbishop Fulton Sheen died at the age of 84. That embrace would become one of the most remembered moments of his final months. And there's a powerful lesson in this story. Sometimes, when you spend your life serving God, you may wonder if your sacrifices matter, if your prayers make a difference, or if anyone notices your faithfulness. But Archbishop Sheen's life reminds us that our greatest legacy isn't fame, recognition, or worldly success. It's how faithfully we follow Jesus Christ. One Pope. One archbishop. One unforgettable embrace. And a beautiful reminder that a life devoted to Christ can continue inspiring souls long after we're gone. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, pray for us. St. John Paul II, pray for us. Now here's a question for every Catholic watching: 💬 If you could hear Jesus say just ONE thing to you at the end of your life, what would you want those words to be? #Catholic #christiantiktok

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Thursday 22 October 2026 16:52:59 GMT