The Pope's Life...Or Clinging To It

Andrew Sullivan nails it:

We have been informed that the pontiff's current suffering and persistence against multiple illnesses and debilities is sending a message about the dignity of suffering and the importance of life. There is indeed a great truth to that.

But there is also a point at which clinging to life itself becomes a little odd for a Christian, no? Isn't the fundamental point about Christianity that our life on earth is but a blink in the eye of our real existence, which begins at death and lasts for eternity in God's loving presence? Why is the Pope sending a signal that we should cling to life at all costs - and that this clinging represents some kind of moral achievement? Isn't there a moment at which the proper Christian approach to death is to let it come and be glad?

Or put it another way: if the Pope is this desperate to stay alive, what hope is there for the rest of us?

Paul said "to live is Christ; to die is gain." He was cool with life or death. The Pope should be cool with it too.