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Vatican Approves Sainthood for Pope John Paul II

July 05, 2013

by VOA News

The Vatican says the late Pope John Paul the Second will be made a saint of the Roman Catholic Church.

Pope Francis approved sainthood for the Polish-born pontiff, who died eight years ago. The pope also decided to canonize Pope John the 23rd, who led the church during a five-year period of reorganization, until 1963.

Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said Pope Francis announced both decisions on Friday.

"The pontiff approved the votes in favor of the canonization of beatified Pope John the 23rd, Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli and has decided to convene a consistory which will also deal with Pope John Paul II, Karol Jozef Wojtya," said Lombardi.

Andreas Widmer, who served as Pope John Paul's papal guard for two years, told VOA he has long considered him a candidate for sainthood.

"To me, John Paul has been a saint [since] a long time ago, ever since I knew him because he was fullest, the most complete human being that I have ever met," Widmer.

Pope John Paul had a profound impact on his life, he said, adding that the sainthood designation will encourage others learn more about his character.

"Only through John Paul, when I saw this man live, I came to think, I remember saying that 'Whatever that man has, that's what I want' because I saw somebody who was fully happy, as a human person in a state of happiness that was profound and lasting," he said.

Pope John Paul was extremely popular during his 27-year papacy. A Vatican statement says his "love for young people brought him to establish World Youth Days." He is also credited for encouraging dialogue with representatives of other religions, including Jews.

Pope John Paul was succeeded by Pope Benedict, a German cleric who resigned earlier this year and was replaced by Pope Francis, who had been a cardinal in Argentina. The three popes were the first non-Italians elected to lead the world's Roman Catholics in hundreds of years.

The Vatican paid tribute to the late Pope John the 23rd as "meek," "gentle, enterprising and courageous." During World War Two, he was instrumental in helping to get news from prisoners of war to their families.

There is no word yet on when they will be canonized, or consecrated as saints, but it has been reported the ceremonies could be scheduled before the end of this year.