The canonization of two blessed popes began with a Holy Mass at 10.00 on St Peter’s Square, presided over by Pope Frances. Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVIth, took part in the Eucharistic celebration.
Almost one million pilgrims and over 100 foreign delegations from many countries came to participate in the event. The estimated number of Poles came to close to 500 000 pilgrims.
“John XXIII and John Paul II had the courage to look into the wounds of Jesus and to submit to the Holy Spirit. They became witnesses of God’s kindness and mercy, both before the Church and the world “)said Pope Frances in his homily.
Speaking about John XXIII, he said: “He was obedient to the Holy Spirit when he summoned the Vatican Council. He let himself be led by him and was, for the Church, a pastor and leader who himself was led by the Spirit.”
The Pope called John Paul II “the Pope of family”: “He said so himself once, that he would like to be remembered as a pope of family. I emphasize this gladly now, that we are preparing a synod about family and with families, the process he certainly follows and supports from Heaven.”
The next day, on Monday 28th of April, a Thanksgiving Mass for the canonization of blessed John Paul II was celebrated at St Peter’s Square by Cardinal Angelo Comastri, the archpresbyter of St Peter’s Basilica. In his homily he said that St John Paul II was a defender of family, life and peace.
The atmosphere among the pilgrims was that of great joy and gratitude. The youth from Poland, strongly represented among the pilgrims, gave testimony that their love for the Polish pope has not faded with time. By coming to the canonizatio in such great numbers they gave answer to John Paul II’s words, spoken just before his death: “I have been seeking you, and now you have come.”
Many commentators noticed that the simultaneous canonization of two popes, John XXIII and John Paul II was an unusual event in the history of the Church. Testimony of their holy lives will bear good fruit. They support the Church in its journey towards eternity.