The countdown has begun. In 44 days, the Roman Catholic Church will create history. Pope John Paul 2nd and Pope John 23rd will be declared saints in an epochal event on April 27, 2014. The canonisation ceremony in Vatican will be attended by the two living Popes: Francis, who will officiate, and Pope Benedict, who retired last year.
This has never happened in the history of the Catholic Church. Yet another Pope -- Pius 12th (1939-1958) -- could be on the way to sainthood as Pope Francis is said to be interested in him.
Polish-born John Paul 2nd, the first non-Italian pope for more than 400 years, led the Catholic Church from 1978-2005. One of the most influential leaders of the 20th century, John Paul 2nd is recognised as helping to end Communist rule in his native Poland and eventually all of Europe. He significantly improved the Catholic Church's relations with Judaism, Islam, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and the Anglican Communion. He was one of the most travelled world leaders in history, visiting 129 countries during his pontificate. He beatified 1,340 people and canonised 483 saints, more than the combined tally of his predecessors during the preceding five centuries.
Pope John 23rd was pontiff from 1958-1963, calling the Second Vatican Council that transformed the Church and introducing the vernacular to replace Latin in church functions. He has a big following in Italy, where he is also known as Papa Buono (the good pope).
John 23rd surprised those who expected him to be a caretaker pope by calling the historic Second Vatican Council (1962–65), the first session opening on October 11, 1962. However, he did not live to see it to completion, dying on June 3, 1963, four-and-a-half years after his election.
His passionate views on equality were summed up in his famous statement "We were all made in God's image, and thus, we are all Godly alike". When John 23rd announced the Second Vatican Council in the middle of the night to the crowd gathered in St. Peter's Square, he passionately said: "Dear children, returning home, you will find children: give your children a caress and say: This is the caress of the Pope!"
If you're planning to visit Rome in April last week, ensure that you book the hotels and transport well in advance as 5 million people could travel to Rome for the canonisation ceremony.
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| John Paul 2nd |
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| John 23rd |
Polish-born John Paul 2nd, the first non-Italian pope for more than 400 years, led the Catholic Church from 1978-2005. One of the most influential leaders of the 20th century, John Paul 2nd is recognised as helping to end Communist rule in his native Poland and eventually all of Europe. He significantly improved the Catholic Church's relations with Judaism, Islam, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and the Anglican Communion. He was one of the most travelled world leaders in history, visiting 129 countries during his pontificate. He beatified 1,340 people and canonised 483 saints, more than the combined tally of his predecessors during the preceding five centuries.
Pope John 23rd was pontiff from 1958-1963, calling the Second Vatican Council that transformed the Church and introducing the vernacular to replace Latin in church functions. He has a big following in Italy, where he is also known as Papa Buono (the good pope).
John 23rd surprised those who expected him to be a caretaker pope by calling the historic Second Vatican Council (1962–65), the first session opening on October 11, 1962. However, he did not live to see it to completion, dying on June 3, 1963, four-and-a-half years after his election.
His passionate views on equality were summed up in his famous statement "We were all made in God's image, and thus, we are all Godly alike". When John 23rd announced the Second Vatican Council in the middle of the night to the crowd gathered in St. Peter's Square, he passionately said: "Dear children, returning home, you will find children: give your children a caress and say: This is the caress of the Pope!"
If you're planning to visit Rome in April last week, ensure that you book the hotels and transport well in advance as 5 million people could travel to Rome for the canonisation ceremony.
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