Blessed JPII:gave millions strength to believe

In front of a vast sea of pilgrims filling the square and streets in front of St Peter’s Basilica, Pope Benedict on Sunday proclaimed blessed his beloved predecessor Pope John Paul II. Just six years after the death and funeral of Karol Wojtyla, an event which was followed by millions in Rome and around the world, hundreds of thousands of people flocked back to the Vatican for the beatification celebrations, which began with a prayer vigil at the nearby Circus Maximus on Saturday evening.

Many of those pilgrims then spent the night camped out in the streets, before making their way towards the basilica in the early hours of Sunday morning. Long before Pope Benedict arrived in the square, the surrounding roads filled up with cheering, flag waving crowds, especially from Karol Wojtyla’s native Poland. Over a dozen heads of state were also on hand, alongside cardinals, bishops, priests and religious who were seated up close to the altar.

Cardinal Agostino Vallini, vicar general for the diocese of Rome, began by reading a brief biography of the former pontiff, recalling his childhood in Wadowice, his secret studies for the priesthood while working in a chemical factory, his participation as a bishop in the second Vatican council and the most memorable events of his 27 year pontificate.

Pope Benedict then pronounced the Latin formula which raises John Paul to the rank of blessed, the first step on the road to sainthood.

In his homily during the Mass, Pope Benedict recalled that this beatification takes place on the Second Sunday of Easter, which John Paul himself dedicated as Divine Mercy Sunday. And the celebration also coincides with the first day of May, the month traditionally dedicated to Mary, the Mother of God, to whom the Polish Pope had a such a particular devotion.

From his papal coat of arms with the letter M beside the cross, to his motto, ‘Totus Tuus’ Latin for I belong entirely to you, the Pope recalled how Karol Wojtyla’s whole life was nourished and sustained by this vision of Mary as a model of holiness for every Christian

Pope Benedict also recalled the words that John Paul used during his first Mass in St Peter’s square after his election in October 1978. “Do not be afraid – Open wide the doors to Christ!” A vision which the Pope himself sought to put into practise throughout his whole pontificate. By his witness of faith, love and courage, accompanied by great human charisma, Pope Benedict said, this exemplary son of Poland helped believers throughout the world not to be afraid to be called Christian, to belong to the church, to speak the Gospel.

On a more personal note, Pope Benedict also thanked God for the gift of having worked alongside Blessed Pope John Paul for so many years as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. And he recalled his great witness through suffering in the final years of his life. As the Lord gradually stripped him of his physical forces, he remained a ‘rock’ of faith, continuing to lead the church with a message that became all the more eloquent as his physical strength declined.

As Pope Benedict beatified his predecessor a giant image of John Paul II was unveiled on the faced of St Peter’s basilica – and as his smiling face was revealed to the crowds an unstoppable explosion of cheers and applause rang out – an expression of the continuing love felt by so many people for the Pope who came from a far country to lead the church across the threshold of the third millennium. Listen to Philippa Hitchen's report: