Alexander, the Great for all his conquests in the known world of ancient times failed to capture the honor of world leader. Napoleon I conquered most of Europe and, by extension, the colonies of the subjugated states like Spain, Italy, and Germany. His dream of one world never materialized. He was just a "Master of Europe".

Pope John Paul II has no single military division to prop up his papacy, but only his ceremonial Swiss honor guards.During the Tehran Conference of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin during the Second World War, Roosevelt suggested that they invite the Pope to the conference. To which Stalin replied: "And how many divisions did you say the Pope has?"

Of course, history proved Stalin wrong. To begin with, his argument is fallacious. It is called argumentum ad bacullum, argument by force. But more telling is the leadership shown by Pope John Paul II.

The turnout of around five million pilgrims at the Vatican City and Rome demonstrates that the power of faith and belief in enduring and universal values are more powerful than military force. Peoples of various faiths and political beliefs all over the world expressed sadness and respect for Pope John Paul II -- the Israeli political leaders and Jewish rabbis, the leaders of the Greek Orthodox Church, the Palestinian leaders, even the Hamas, leaders of Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, some 200 presidents and prime ministers, and other national leaders;i in short, peoples and leaders of diffirent political, religious, and ideological beliefs.

John Paul II connected with all classes of people - the poor, the middle classes, and the elites; the youth and the old, men and women; and all colors or races.

He connected with them because of his message or advocacy of peace, justice,freedom, social justice, and respect for human dignity. His "ideology" is based on the core Christian belief in the human soul or spirit which is the basis of equality of every person or human being.

People believed in him because his verbal expression and body language emoted or expressed what he felt and believed in his heart, mind, and soul. He connected with people because of his excellence in communication in person and through media, perhaps as a result of his training and experience as playwright and actor in his younger years.

Shakespeare once wrote that we are all actors and the world is our stage. John Paul II did it in his own way with his message of peace, justice, freedom, and social justice.

And in so doing, he earned the love, respect, gratitude, and even reverence of mankind, making him truly the first global leader.