CARMEL VALLEY - The man once honored by Pope John Paul II and Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf earned a standing ovation from Monterey County fans on Wednesday afternoon.

More than 220 people attended a luncheon and meeting with Rotary International President Wilfred Wilkinson, hosted jointly by the Rotary clubs of Carmel Valley and Monterey Pacific at Rancho Cañada on Carmel Valley Road.

"This is very historic," said Nina Clancy, the Rotary governor for district 5230, which covers Tulare, King, Fresno and Monterey counties. "I don't know any sitting international president who has attended a club meeting (in this region). It's a big deal."

With more than 1.2 million volunteers worldwide, Rotary is the largest organization in the world. Through Rotary, Wilkinson has met with presidents, royalty and heads of state to create change in more than 200 countries and geographical areas.

A Rotarian since 1962, he has held positions including district governor, International Assembly discussion leader, regional session leader, director and vice president.

In 2001, Wilkinson was honored by Pope John Paul II with the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal, the highest award the papacy grants to a lay person.

On Feb. 20, Musharraf presented Wilkinson, then president-elect, with the Sitara-e-Eisaar, or Star of Sacrifice, the highest award the government gives, to recognize Rotary's relief efforts in the wake of the 7.6-magnitude earthquake that hit Kashmir in 2005.

He has visited Rotary clubs in 50 countries since becoming the 2007-2008 president in May. Wilkinson said he decided to visit Monterey County since he was attending conferences in San Jose and San Francisco.

His snowy-white hair and clear blue eyes lent a sage spirit to his keynote address, as he urged his fellow Rotarians to use their hearts to share camaraderie and love with those "who are hungry, lonely, and who are cold."

"My message is: 'Rotary Shares,'" Wilkinson said. "I've seen it over and over again, and it can be easily translated to a statement, question or challenge. I've seen it in all three."

During his one-day visit, the Rotary president met and learned about both clubs' programs, including Carmel Valley's Safe Blood Africa project, helping to establish a network of blood banks in the African nation, and Monterey Pacific's effort to provide each Seaside third-grader with a dictionary.

Both club presidents, Jamison Kaufman of Carmel Valley and John Mims of Monterey Pacific said they were humbled by Wilkinson's visit and encouraged by his words.

They pledged to continue providing volunteer services to the communities they served.

"We want every one to know what Rotary does," Kaufman said. "This is not your father's Rotary Club any longer."

Wilkinson said he will visit San Francisco's Rotary Club today before attending the "Sharing the Magic of Rotary" conference in San Jose.

Contact Sunita Vijayan at svijayan@thecalifornian.com.