Pope's appearance makes splash in impromptu outing

By ALLAN WOODS, The Globe and Mail
Friday, July 26, 2002

When the thirsty Pope was offered a drink, John Paul asked for a 7-Up.

"We gave him a Sprite," said Jim Ginou, chairman of Ontario Place and lead pilot of the papal fleet that went out for a two-hour cruise on Wednesday.

Mr. Ginou and his four sons, 19 to 28, took to the lake with the ailing 82-year-old pontiff after a last-minute phone call from Vatican officials.

Mr. Ginou said he didn't get the call until 6:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Less than five hours later, they were cruising.

The impromptu outing made a splash with locals in Orillia, Ont., when the 10-metre, three-level Blue Sapphire buzzed by the Huronia Regional Centre, a home for disabled adults.

On his first pass, the Pope waved to the crowd. But on a subsequent pass the boat stopped, and John Paul blessed the crowd and handed out rosaries.

"He was great," Mr. Ginou said yesterday.

"He exudes holiness. I'm not a Catholic, but it was impressive to be in his presence."

The Pope looked healthy, Mr. Ginou said. The head of the Roman Catholic Church has Parkinson's disease and is thought to be suffering from osteoporosis, arthritis, deafness and knee and hip problems.

The Pope asked that a windshield on the boat be removed, and Mr. Ginou said he took that as an indication of John Paul's good physical condition.

As for his involvement in the Lake Simcoe tour, Mr. Ginou said it was part miracle, part being in the right place at the right time.

"It was the will of God."

While Mr. Ginou was having lunch with several World Youth Day organizers at an Ontario Place restaurant, he explained, Rev. Thomas Rosica saw a vessel not unlike the Blue Sapphire and wanted to find such a boat for the Pope.

"He looked out and saw a boat and said, 'That boat is the answer to my prayers.' 'I'm the answer,' " Mr Ginou recalled saying.

His four sons are awestruck at the Pope, he said. They were allowed to join the tour after Father Rosica saw how efficiently they ran the boat while on a practice outing.

"It was the time of their lives." Mr. Ginou said.

"It was a great and wonderful experience."

Mr. Ginou's daughter, his youngest child, missed out on the adventure. She is off at summer camp.