Pope Francis signs canonization decrees for John XXIII and John Paul II
(Vatican Radio) Journalists in the Holy See Press Office busy getting to grips with
Pope Francis’ first encyclical the Light of Faith, were somewhat surprised Friday
lunchtime when Director Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J. called them back for a second announcement:
Pope Francis had approved the cause for canonization of two of his venerable and much
loved predecessors Blessed John XXIII and Blessed Pope John Paul II. Emer McCarthy
reports:
Meeting with
Cardinal Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Congregation for the Cause of Saints, Friday
morning, Pope Francis approved the promulgation of the decree and also convoked a
special Consistory of the College of Cardinals to discuss the canonization of the
Polish pope in depth.
Furthermore, he approved the favorable votes of
the Ordinary Session of the Congregations Cardinals and Bishops regarding the raising
to the altars of sainthood of Blessed John XXII.
This slightly unusual
gesture was explained by Fr. Lombardi who told journalists that despite the absence
of a second miracle it was the Pope’s will that the Sainthood of the great Pope of
the Second Vatican Council be recognized.
Fr. Lombardi stated that a
canonization without a second miracle is still valid, given that there is already
the existing miracle that lead to the Roncalli Pope’s beatification. He also pointed
to ongoing discussions among theologians and experts about whether it is necessary
to have two distinct miracles for beatification and canonization. Certainly, he added
the Pope has the power to dispense, in a Cause, with the second miracle.
However,
there was no mention of dates. Neither for the Consistory nor for the Canonizations.
Fr. Lombardi did not rule out that both celebrations could coincide, and he did express
his belief that they would take place by the end of the year. Either way any date
would be established during the Consistory.