JP II canonization 'soon'

photo - wikicommons CC

Celebrations are under way in Krakow, southern Poland, on the one-year anniversary of the Polish Pope's beatification, a major step in the process of becoming a saint.

Cardinal Dziwisz led the special Mass in Krakow at the site of the John Paul II Centre, attended by thousands of pilgrims.

“We will pray for canonization as soon as possible,” says director of the John Paul II Centre, Father Jan Kabziński. “Beatification is a cult in the region, canonization involves the whole world. That is why we want to make sure that the Holy Father is canonized as soon as possible.”

Thousands of young people are expected to gather tonight for a prayer Vigil just outside Rome to celebrate the first anniversary of Blessed Pope John Paul II’s beatification. The vigil will be held at the Tor Vergata esplanade in Rome, the venue for Rome’s World Youth Day in 2000 - a project close to JP II's heart - and will begin at 8pm with a torchlight procession.

A large crowd of young people from Rome, together with 400 other youths from across Europe, will be taking part.

In an interview with the Italian Catholic radio station TV2000, Cardinal Dziwisz, the personal papal secretary, was asked several times about a tape recording made by John Paul II shortly before he died in April 2005.

Due to a tracheotomy performed before he died, the Polish Pope was only heard to speak short phrases and single words in public. But the tape contains his last message to the faithful.

Cardinal Dziwisz said that the contents of the tape recording of the last words of JP II will “remain a secret, at least for now.” (pg)