Thanks to the Lord for having given us the Blessed John Paul II

Today, Monday 2^nd May is a day of thanksgiving here in the Vatican for the beatification of Pope John Paul II. Before a large crowd of faithful, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican secretary of state, celebrated a Mass of thanksgiving in St. Peter's Square, remembering the Blessed Karol Wojtyla and his legacy of faith.

"Today we thank the Lord" - Cardinal Bertone said - "for giving us a shepherd like Pope John Paul II. A shepherd who knew how to read the signs of God’s presence in human history, a shepherd with a deeply rooted commitment to evangelize and to proclaim the Word of God in every place, even shouting it from the roofs…"

And Cardinal Bertone gave thanks to the Lord for having given us such a credible Witness who taught us how to live our Christian Faith and defend our Christian values. And for having given us a Pope who projected the Catholic Church into the international arena with its unprecedented standing of moral authority. And finally, Cardinal Bertone thanked the Lord for having given us a Saint like John Paul II. Every one of us – he said- whether from close or from far – has had the chance to witness the coherence of his humanity, his words and his life…