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I can remember when he was elected. It would only be a year later that my mom would start me at Saint John School back in Memphis and three years later that I would be baptized and welcomed into The Church. I remember his election so well because I was so fascinated by the smoke. It amazed me that something so simple as different colored smoke would announce the election of a new pope.

To quote scripture, When I was a child I thought as a child. But when I became a man I put away childish things. But yet Pope John Paul the Great has never ceased fascinating me. As I grew up with this pope, I marveled over his ability to lead The Church. His stead fast courage in the face of adversity and this willingness to surrender himself to the mercy and will of God have always been an example I’ve tried to follow. I will miss him. So tonight I pray for God to accept his servant into His arms and I ask our beloved pope to beg of God to shower His Church with grace and holiness as the cardinals pick a new pope, that they elect someone with the strength, courage and fatherly love that John Paul II showed the Church for these 26 years.

Prayer For a Deceased Pope (From the Roman Missal) :

God our Father, you reward all who believe in you. May your servant John Paul., our Pope, vicar of Peter, and shepherd of your Church, who faithfully administered the mysteries of your forgiveness and love on earth, rejoice with you for ever in heaven. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Father, in your wise and loving care you made your servant John Paul., Pope and teacher of all your Church. He did the work of Christ on earth. May your Son now welcome him to eternal glory, where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Father, eternal shepherd, hear the prayers of your people for your servant John Paul, who governed the Church with love. In your loving mercy bring him, with the flock entrusted to his care, to the reward you have promised your faithful servants. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

Hat tip to Recta Ratio for the prayer.