Vatican announces beatification of John Paul II on May 1

Tags: Pope John Paul II, Rome

Benedict XVI has announced the beatification of of Pope John Paul II. It will take place on May 1. The announcement comes after a miracle was unanimously approved by the Vatican's congregation for the Causes of Saints.

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The story behind the mosaic in St. Peter's Square

"Holy Father, this square is incomplete: I look and see so many saints... Every saint is there, and I haven't found a single statue of Our Lady to preside over the square." "Bene, bene, fine, then the square will need to be completed," said the Pope.

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Sixth anniversary of Benedict XVI’s election

On April 19, 2005 after two signals of black smoke, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected pope. His name Benedict XVI was announced and his first words: “After the great Pope John Paul II, the cardinals have elected me, a simple and humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord.”

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May 17, 1992: Beatification of Josemaria Escriva

A short videoclip of shots from the beatification of Josemaria Escriva and Pope John Paul II’s words before saying the “Regina Caeli”.

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October 6, 2002, in two minutes

It is now nine years since Blessed Pope John Paul II called St Josemaria "the patron saint of ordinary life". A two-minute videoclip shows moments from the canonization ceremony in St Peter's Square, October 6, 2002.