Posted on 06/28/2005 3:47:02 PM PDT by Panerai
The Catholic Church has launched the official process which may culminate in a sainthood for the late Pope John Paul II with a service in Rome.
The mass to nominate John Paul for beatification marks the penultimate step on the path to becoming a saint.
Members of a special commission - including a latter-day "Devil's Advocate" whose job is to challenge any claim - swore secrecy and probity.
The commission will sift possible evidence of a miracle by the late Pope.
Fast-track
During the mass at the cathedral of St John Lateran, the words of Cardinal Camillo Ruini were interrupted by applause and chants from the gathered worshippers.
"Any words that I can now add [...] seem superfluous, so great and universal is the knowledge of him and so profound and unanimous the conviction of his saintliness," Cardinal Ruini said.
His case is being fast-tracked after Pope Benedict made a special ruling.
Normally, the procedure does not start until five years after death. Pope John Paul died less than three months ago.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.