One doesn’t have to be Catholic or to agree with all of the Vatican’s teachings to appreciate Pope John Paul II’s enormous contributions and to wish him a speedy recovery from illness. We think of his courage in taking on communism and the Soviet Union, particularly in his home country of Poland. We think of his leadership in grappling with anti-Semitism and in furthering a historic reconciliation between Jews and Catholics. We think of his support for education and his respect for life. And we hope, along with so many who are praying worldwide, for his health. John Paul II is 84 years old and has been the pope for 26 years. His deteriorating health has prompted some talk of papal term limits or a mandatory retirement age. But it reminds us of those who offer similar suggestions for justices on the United States Supreme Court. Sure, some of the justices are old and approaching frailty. But the length of their tenure contributes to their stature. So, too, with the pope. There’s no escaping that there will eventually be a transition, at the Vatican as on the high court. But it’s not surprising that so many people are praying for John Paul II and wishing him a speedy return from the hospital and back to his leadership.