The next Pope will have to tackle distorted notions of liberalism

THE banners in St Peter’s Square on Friday last proclaimed “Santo Subito.” Translated, it means “a saint now.” The process may take a few years to start, but the faithful were returning their verdict much sooner.

Sainthood, of course, is not some kind of a gong which the church hands out to its favourite deceased persons. It involves a definitive statement by the church that a man or woman has lived a life of heroic virtue. The person is formally declared to be among the saints of heaven.

But before this happens there must be an investigation of the person’s life, works and writings, and of any unexplained medical cures attributed to him or her after death. This procedure is the norm in the church today.