Bishop Estévez of the Diocese of St. Augustine tweeted about the life and legacy of Pope St. John Paul II during the saint’s feast day and in the month of October, which is Respect Life month. 

The former pope was well-loved by all and is known for his incredible act of forgiveness after he visited his would-be assassin in prison and forgave him personally.

“The legacy of St. John Paul II grows daily in the 128 countries he visited. Affirming holiness of life he beatified 1,340 Christians and canonized 483; with St. Mother Teresa he made the culture of life preeminent in defense of the unborn and prisoners inflicted by the death penalty,” Bishop Felipe J. Estévez tweeted. 

The memory of John Paul II’s forgiveness comes in a timely manner while Floridians are awaiting the sentencing of Nikolas Cruz, the Parkland shooter, who at age 19 killed 17 individuals in the deadliest school shooting in U.S. history, according to Forbes.

Pope John Paul II was nearly assassinated in 1981 while in St. Peter’s Square by Ali Agca. While the pope survived his injuries, his recovery is said to have been miraculous and after recovering he visited Agca in prison, publicly forgiving and pardoning him, according to the John Paul II Shrine.

The prosecutors in the Cruz case intend to seek the death penalty, which is against Catholic moral teaching that prohibits the death penalty.