Pope Francis proclaims John Paul II, John XXIII as new saints
Published: July 5
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis declared on Friday (July 5) that Popes John Paul II and John XXIII will be made saints, elevating the two most decisive popes of the 20th century to the pantheon of Catholic life and worship.
In a sign of the worldwide devotion for John XXIII, known as “Good Pope John,” Francis waived the requirement for a second miracle credited to John XXIII’s intercession, with the Vatican’s spokesman saying, “no one doubts his virtues.”
Francis signed off on a decree recognizing the second miracle attributed to the Polish-born John Paul II, who reigned from 1978 to 2005 , and is credited with globalizing the papacy and playing a key role in the downfall of the communist regimes of Eastern Europe.
John XXIII convened the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) that introduced modernizing reforms in the Catholic Church on issues such as religious freedom, democracy and ecumenism.
“The pope has the power to exempt a (sainthood) cause from the second miracle and this is what happened,” explained the Vatican’s chief spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi.
A first miracle had been recognized when John XXIII was beatified and declared “Blessed,” the penultimate step to sainthood, in 2000.
Under normal circumstances, two miracles are needed for sainthood — one to be beatified and a second to be canonized. A miracle is generally a healing from an incurable illness or condition instantaneously, completely and in a way that defies any scientific explanation.
It is not unprecedented in modern times to have a pope waive the second miracle requirement. The last one to do so was John XXIII himself, who in 1960 waived the second-miracle requirement for St. Gregorio Barbarigo, a 17th century Venetian cardinal for whom John XXIII had a particular veneration.
According to Lombardi, the canonization ceremony could be held “within the year.” Most speculation has centered on Dec. 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception and a holy day of obligation for Catholics.
The Vatican didn’t give any official details on the second miracle attributed to John Paul II. Italian press reports described the case of a Costa Rican woman who was instantaneously cured of an aneurysm after praying to the Polish pontiff on May 1, 2011, the day of his beatification.
If this is confirmed, John Paul would become a saint faster than any other in the modern history of the Catholic Church, and only eight years after his death in 2005. He would easily best the record set by Opus Dei founder Josemaria Escriva, who was declared a saint in 2002, 27 years after his death.
While John Paul’s sainthood had been on fast-track ever since his death, when millions gathered in Rome calling for “Santo Subito!,” (”Saint now!”), John’s cause had been put on hold for years as the reforms of the Second Vatican Council were called into question by conservatives under Benedict XVI.
Francis unexpectedly decided to accelerate John XXIII’s sainthood. “He is loved by Catholics, we are in the 50th anniversary of the Council and moreover no one doubts his virtues,” Lombardi explained.
On Friday, Francis also signed off on the beatification of Alvaro del Portillo, the first leader of Opus Dei after the death of Escriva.
I've made it clear that I plan to eat the biggest burger at Carl's Jr. when it's Good Friday. I do like the insignia for Pope Francis...although to be fair it's essentially his former cardinal arms papabilized.
I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only for the three canonisations, but also to communicate to you a decision of great importance for the life of the Church. After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry.
I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering. However, in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognise my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me.
For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is.
Dear Brothers, I thank you most sincerely for all the love and work with which you have supported me in my ministry and I ask pardon for all my defects. And now, let us entrust the Holy Church to the care of Our Supreme Pastor, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and implore his holy Mother Mary, so that she may assist the Cardinal Fathers with her maternal solicitude, in electing a new Supreme Pontiff. With regard to myself, I wish to also devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer.
Pope Benedict XVI delivers the homily at an open-air Mass in front of a gathering of thousands at the new Nationals Park baseball stadium in Washington D.C.
In homily, Benedict tells 46,000 that an active Catholic Church is needed to confront a complex society. He again addresses the clergy sexual abuse crisis and urges reconciliation.
By Tracy Wilkinson and Michael Muskal, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers April 18, 2008
washington -- Pope Benedict XVI today presided over the first open-air Mass of his trip to the United States and urged Christian renewal through loyalty to God as a way to confront troubled times.
Speaking in Nationals Park, a sports cathedral more suited to the cheers and jeers of baseball than the notes of sacred music and words, Benedict told 46,000 faithful that an enthusiastic and active Roman Catholic Church is needed to deal with a complex and often troubled society.
"Who can deny that the present moment is a crossroads, not only for the church in America but also for society as a whole," the scholarly Benedict said in his homily.
"It is a time of great promise, as we see the human family in many ways drawing closer together and becoming ever more interdependent," he said.
"Yet at the same time we see clear signs of a disturbing breakdown in the very foundations of society: signs of alienation, anger and polarization on the part of many of our contemporaries; increased violence; a weakening of the moral sense; a coarsening of social relations; and a growing forgetfulness of God."
The pontiff said he was confident that the "profound harmony of faith and reason" will empower Catholics to confront urgent issues that shape the future of American society.
"Let us trust in the Spirit's power to inspire conversion, to heal every wound, to overcome every division and to inspire new life and freedom," the pope said. "How much we need these gifts!"
For the third day, the pope addressed the clergy sexual abuse crisis that has rocked the Catholic Church, again urging healing and reconciliation among those who have been hurt.
"No words of mine could describe the pain and harm inflicted by such abuse," the pope said.
Benedict spoke in a bright spring sunshine as a banner, proclaiming the official theme, "Christ Our Hope," stirred in the breeze.
After two days of pomp and protocol, this morning's focus was on Benedict's role as spiritual teacher for the faithful. Later he will address Catholic educators at The Catholic University of America. He will also meet with leaders of other faiths at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center.
The role of Latinos was a key note through today's proceedings, testament to the importance of the group to the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. One of the scriptural readings was in Spanish and the pope directly addressed the crowd in Spanish after the homily.
"Do not be overcome with pessimism, inertia or problems," Benedict said in Spanish. He told Latinos that their faith grows deeper every day with the knowledge of Christ that allows their hearts to be conquered by love and forgiveness.
"The church in the United States, taking to its heart so many of its immigrant children, has grown thanks also to the vitality of the testimony of the faithful Spanish speakers," Benedict said.
The pontiff arrived at the stadium in the popemobile around 9:30 a.m. EDT. Surrounded by security guards, his vehicle traveled around the perimeter of the ball field as the crowd erupted in cheers.
Parishioners began arriving hours earlier, crowding the subway before dawn. Vendors hawked souvenirs, flags and buttons.
The rising sun illuminated the colors of the faith. Plumed hats denoted the Knights of Columbus. Clerics wearing bright red robes bustled in formation around the field. Today's ceremony was the first non-sporting event to be held in the stadium, which opened for its first Major League Baseball season this year.
The altar was built in what is normally the outfield, and the home plate area was decorated with the symbols of the church and archdiocese.
It took more than 300 clerics more than 20 minutes to distribute the host to those taking Communion.
click to enlarge
Photo Gallery