Abbé Pierre

The venerable Abbé Pierre died this week. He was renowned for his tireless efforts to help the poor. He was a Catholic priest, but never prosyletized his faith. He wished that women could be ordained and promoted the use of condoms. He participated in the Résistance and helped Jews during the Second World War. Always waging a war against "misery and injustice," he inspired thousands to donate to help the poorest in society. He was voted France's most popular person numerous times. A famous French movie star here (the actor who plays the slow-witted guy in Amélie) was once being interviewed via video broadcast and asked if he wanted to say anything to the Abbé, who was sitting in the studio during the interview. Jamel Debbouze said, "There's nothing I can say!" and the Abbé was hard of hearing in his old age, so the host said, "Monsieur Debbouze, you have to speak up, he cannot hear you; what do you want to say to the Abbé?"
"Merci! Merci!" Jamel said, "Thank you for existing!"
He died the 22 of January at age 94.