Great news coming from the Vatican today, as Pope Benedict XVI has announced that he will celebrate the beatification of Pope John Paul II on May 1st.
Our late Holy Father has been fast tracked through the canonization process. Usually they is a 5 year wait before a person’s cause to sainthood may be introduced. Pope Benedict dispensed with the wait given the obvious holiness and service to the Church of John Paul II. It has taken this long because of the due diligence of the committees who have researched the life and writings of our late Holy Father.
After the beatification, he will be regarded as Blessed Pope John Paul II and will be the worthy of veneration. Wonderful news for our Church! I remember meeting him in Rome, toward the end of his life. It was and still is the most touching and humbling moment of my life.
