Sunday, May 1, 2011
Today in Rome a Holy euphoric atmosphere is seen every where with full of pomp and show as John Paul II is to be beatified at St Peter's Square. Beatification is the third of the four steps in the canonization process. A person who is beatified is given the title "Blessed".
Pope John Paul II Born 18 May 1920 – Dead 2 April 2005,is Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of The Holy See from 16 October 1978 till his death on 2 April 2005, His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted for around 26 and half years only Pope Pius IX (1846–1878) who served 31 years, is ahead of him. Pope John Paul II is the only Polish and the first non-Italian Pope since Dutch Pope Adrian VI (1522–1523)
John Paul II has been acclaimed as one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century. It is widely held that he was instrumental in ending communism in his native Poland and eventually all of Europe. John Paul II is widely said to have significantly improved the Catholic Church's relations with Judaism, Islam,the Eastern Orthodox Church, and the Anglican Communion. Though criticized by progressives.He was one of the most-traveled world leaders in history, visiting 129 countries during his pontificate. He spoke Italian, French, German, English, Spanish, Portuguese, Ukrainian, Russian, Croatian, Esperanto, Ancient Greek and Latin as well as his native Polish. As part of his special emphasis on the universal call to holiness, he beatified 1,340 people and canonised 483 saints, more than the combined tally of his predecessors during the last five centuries. On 19 December 2009, John Paul II was proclaimed venerable by his successor Pope Benedict XVI.
Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims will attend a special mass in St Peter's Square in Rome this morning to mark the formal beatification of Pope John Paul II.The ceremony which is just one step short of full sainthood for the Polish Pontiff will be represented by the five royal houses, including the Duke of Gloucester, are expected to attend. at least 50 heads of government and 16 heads of state, including Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, flew into Rome on Saturday to take part in mass prayer.
The Roman Catholic church requires evidence of at least one miracle. John Paul II, who died at the age of 84, is deemed to have been responsible for the inexplicable cure of a French nun, Sister Marie Simon-Pierre.who was apparently cured of Parkinson's disease having prayed to the Pope soon after his death.Doctors have confirmed her recovery and are unable to offer an explanation.
Progress towards full canonisation requires a second miracle and already hundreds of devoted followers of John Paul II have submitted claims.
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