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| Credits Alberto Pizzoli (AFP/Getty Images) |
Did you know I once presented Pope John Paul II with flowers during a trip to Nigeria and even reunited with the Holy Father in Baltimore, Maryland my American hometown in the 90's? Our fave Pope was canonized today and now he is a SAINT along with another Pope! He did so much for the world, even took a bullet. #NuffSaid!
Pope Francis was, unusually, joined by emeritus Pope Benedict XVI, his predecessor who resigned last year. The former German pontiff's presence had been uncertain due to ill health.
The other unprecedented aspect of the event was the canonisation of both John Paul II and John XXIII at the same time. Beatified in 2011, the Polish pope had been on a record-quick path to sainthood since his death in 2005, when pilgrims at his funeral shouted 'Santo Subito!' ('Saint Immediately!').
John XXIII, however, the Italian pontiff from 1958 to 1963 who called the revolutionary Second Vatican Council, had not been expected to be recognised as a saint imminently as he lacked the second miracle usually required.
"He changed the political situation not just in Poland but in the whole world. We are that generation for whom that means a lot," he said.
Asked about criticism from the victims of clerical sex abuse who argue Wojtyla did not act quickly enough to curb the actions of paedophile priests, Gretka said he did not think this should be a stumbling block to sainthood.
Pope Francis was, unusually, joined by emeritus Pope Benedict XVI, his predecessor who resigned last year. The former German pontiff's presence had been uncertain due to ill health.
The other unprecedented aspect of the event was the canonisation of both John Paul II and John XXIII at the same time. Beatified in 2011, the Polish pope had been on a record-quick path to sainthood since his death in 2005, when pilgrims at his funeral shouted 'Santo Subito!' ('Saint Immediately!').
John XXIII, however, the Italian pontiff from 1958 to 1963 who called the revolutionary Second Vatican Council, had not been expected to be recognised as a saint imminently as he lacked the second miracle usually required.
"He changed the political situation not just in Poland but in the whole world. We are that generation for whom that means a lot," he said.
Asked about criticism from the victims of clerical sex abuse who argue Wojtyla did not act quickly enough to curb the actions of paedophile priests, Gretka said he did not think this should be a stumbling block to sainthood.
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