Diocese examination brings John Paul II’s sainthood closer

THE Rome diocese has wrapped up its examination of Pope John Paul II’s virtues and life, an important step in the Catholic Church’s process that could lead to sainthood for the late pontiff.

Rome Cardinal Camillo Ruini said on Saturday he had been informed that completion of work by the diocese on the cause for beatification and sainthood will be marked with a ceremony in St John’s Lateran Basilica on April 2 in the Italian capital. The date is the second anniversary of John Paul’s death.

All pontiffs serve as bishop of Rome, and so the diocese examined “the life, virtues and reputation for holiness” of the late pope. Now the Vatican must take up its own examination of the same characteristics, a process which can take years.