To say Brad Soderberg is torn is an understatement. With the Final Four in St. Louis, the SLU basketball coach is an ambassador of sorts as most of the NCAA Division I coaches flock to the city. However Soderberg, who is a devoud Catholic who goes to church everyday, is also devoting a lot of his thoughts to the condition of Pope John Paul II.

Many Catholics are saddened by the fact that the Pope is near death, but for Soderberg, the feeling is a little different. He said on Friday that the Pope’s life should be celebrated, as opposed to having his death mourned.

“Pope John Paul II has been such a great example to all of us about our life on earth just being the beginning of our eternal life,” he said.