Posted on 05/27/2006 5:41:14 AM PDT by lizol
Pope visits John Paul II's home
By Adam Easton BBC News, in Krakow
Pope Benedict has paid homage to his predecessor, John Paul II, by paying a visit to his home town of Wadowice in southern Poland. During his one-hour stop the Pope visited the home where John Paul, then Karol Wojtyla, was born and grew up.
Crowds in the market square sang hymns and waved yellow and white Vatican flags as Benedict appeared.
The 79-year-old Pope said he wanted to pray with the town's people for the swift beatification of John Paul.
Brisk tour
Earlier, the German-born Pontiff visited the large 19th century tenement house where Karol Wojtyla was born. It is now a museum dedicated to the Polish pope's life.
During a brisk tour, Benedict was shown photos and artefacts such as the late pope's skis and camping equipment.
He also stopped in the nearby baroque church where the young Karol was baptised and later became an altar boy.
Ping
Love the pictures! Pope Benedict looks almost impish in some of them; he is definitely having a good time! The one on his knees is quite thoughtful.
I can tell he is thinking of his good friend John Paul. The question is, when will come the second miracle, the one needed for sainthood. Criteria are strict, they have to be, but in time it will come, and perhaps Benedict will soon carry out this final, holiest honor on his friend.
No doubt somewhere John Paul is watching, listening to the talk of the birds of Heaven....
Yes, I hope it isn't irreverent to say so, but this is a cute old man, with his merry eyes and mobile facial expressions. It's easy to see why he was John Paul's friend.
Wonderful photos...as always, Lizol :)
I am curious about sainthood. I know there needs to be two miracles " that come to pass", However, I am not sure what the first miracle was?
Thank you.
As far as I've heard - it has been confirmed, that some French nun recovered from her illness in a way, that has no medical explanation.
Thank you :)
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