Canonization date for John Paul II, John XXIII to be known in September
21 Aug. 2013: Pope Francis will host a meeting of cardinals Sept. 30 to formally approve
the canonization of Blesseds John Paul II and John XXIII and the date for the canonization
will be announced at that time, said Cardinal Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Congregation
for the Causes of Saints. Cardinal Sodano told Vatican Radio Aug. 20 that only
Pope Francis knows for sure the date he will proclaim the two popes saints, although
he already implied that it is likely to be in 2014. Speaking to reporters travelling
with him from Brazil to Rome July 28, Pope Francis said he had been considering Dec.
8, but the possibility of icy roads could make it difficult for Polish pilgrims who
would travel by bus to Rome for the ceremony. Another option, he said, would be April
27, which is the Sunday after Easter and the celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday, a
celebration instituted worldwide by Pope John Paul II. Asked to describe the
two late popes, Pope Francis said Blessed John was "a bit of the country priest,”
a priest who loves each of the faithful and knows how to care for them; he did this
as a bishop and as a nuncio. He was holy, patient, had a good sense of humour and,
especially by calling the Second Vatican Council, was a man of courage,” Pope Francis
said and added he was a man who let himself be guided by the Lord. As for Blessed
John Paul, he told the reporters on the plane, "I think of him as 'the great missionary
of the church," because he was "a man who proclaimed the Gospel everywhere." Pope
Francis signed a decree recognizing the miracle needed for Blessed John Paul's canonization
July 5; the same day, the Vatican announced that the pope had agreed with the cardinal
members of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints' that the canonization of Blessed
John should go forward, even without a second miracle attributed to his intercession.
Before declaring new saints, the pope consults with cardinals around the world
and calls a consistory, where those present voice their support for the pope's decision.
A date for a canonization ceremony is announced formally only during or immediately
after the consistory. Except in the case of martyrdom, Vatican rules require one miracle
for a candidate's beatification and a second for canonization, as confirmations that
the candidate really is in heaven with God. Source: Sedoc