The full measure of Pope John Paul II's triumph in Toronto can be seen in the media's overwhelmingly positive coverage of World Youth Day 2002. Following are excerpts from articles published in Toronto's secular dailies, which often seemed surprised at their own reaction. Our thanks to the Canadian online publication Lifesite, which gathered these excerpts:

“When I walked into one of the major TV network offices, those present burst into applause: one senior woman blurted out: ‘This is one of the most beautiful stories we have ever covered. Thanks for helping us to arrange it.’”

— Column by Father Tom Rosica, World Youth Day chief organizer, Toronto Sun, July 29.

“John Paul, we have a confession to make. We underestimated you. Thanks. Thank you for reminding us, regardless of our religion, about the importance of duty and determination. About the power of faith and the power of God. Thank you for bringing to Toronto those hundreds of thousands of wonderful and sincere young people.”

— Editorial, Toronto Sun, July 29. “[A]s the papal coverage built to a deafening crescendo over the past week, until it was difficult to distinguish some of our main media outlets from the Vatican press office, I started to ponder a different question: ‘How can one keep any sort of secular perspective in a world awash in faith?’”

— Pro-abortion columnist Linda McQuaig, no fan of the Catholic faith, in the Toronto Star July 28.

“[T]he issues of modern day aren't so ‘modern’ after all. St. Paul's letters make clear that the early Christians lived in a society every bit as materialistic, selfish, violent and exploitive as our own. … The Pope stands tall not because he changed, but because he's had the courage to remain constant. That's precisely why his message will remain relevant and have staying power.”

— Column by Guy Giorno, chief of staff to former Ontario Premier Mike Harris, Toronto Star, July 28.

“The groups of young Catholics brandishing flags of their countries, singing, cheerful, polite and friendly, marching through Toronto, have had a stunning effect. … They put cynics to shame.”

— Pro-abortion columnist Peter Worthington, Toronto Sun, July 29.

“The most unbelievable experience I've had in 31 years of policing. … All these people and no trouble; it was breathtaking, out of this world.”

— Toronto Police Sgt. Jim Muscat, after working all night, quoted in the National Post, July 29.

“The irony is that what critics see as the Pope's weakness is his greatest strength. John Paul has proven what politicians say but don't mean: if you are true to yourself, and if your heart is pure, people will respect you, even if they disagree with you. … And because John Paul, throughout his papacy, has been true to himself, he towers above politicians when it comes to public respect. … May God bless him and keep him with us for many years to come.”

— Editorial, “A force for good, for God,” Toronto Sun, July 28.

“As a non-Catholic I found the event quite inspirational. And quite frankly, I got a little tired of all the whining about clogged roads, about how World Youth Day didn't include non-Catholics and on and on. Frankly, as an Anglican I envy the Catholic Church the ability to organize such an event. … The reason the Pope maintains his moral authority is that he doesn't take political sides. He takes on all sides, right or left, for what he sees is right, is moral.”

— Regular political columnist Christina Blizzard, Toronto Sun, July 28.

“All right. I give up. I've been overcome by a surge of papal envy. … Only events on the magnitude of Sept. 11 have commanded more space in the media recently. … I have a lot of problems with the Catholic Church — all the usual ones like abortion, contraception, divorce … but the hordes at World Youth Day knocked me out. [I]t is a joy to see the crowds of youthful believers out there singing songs on the subway and behaving angelically.”

— Regular columnist Connie Woodcock, Toronto Sun, July 28.