"John Sheardown remained a very humble man, always willing to stay in the shadow of others, and the people of Windsor remain extremely proud of his diplomatic intervention and career accomplishments, " read a proclamation that declared November 10, 2012, "John Sheardown Day" in the city of Windsor, in Ontario, Canada.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Born a bastard in Wales and raised in a workhouse there, he denied his humble beginnings, changed his name from John Rowlands to Henry Morton Stanley and claimed the United States as his birthplace.

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"I have been praying for a new pope to be just like Pope John Paul II, who was close to the people and was very humble, " said Charlene Bautista, an insurance broker.

NPR: In Manila, Catholics Pray For Smooth Succession