After John Paul II’s beatification in 2011, he could become a saint
next year. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Prefect Emeritus of the
Congregation of Bishops, was a close collaborator of Pope John Paul II
for many years. The cardinal gave a speech during the presentation of the show “Il Papa e il poeta” (“The Pope and the poet”), written by Vatican correspondent Mimmo Muolo, an multimedia recital that goes on stage tomorrow at Rome’s Conciliation Auditorium.
“I know that there is important evidence of grace being granted and miraculous healings being performed by the Blessed John Paul II – the cardinal told Vatican Insider – and that four or five of these cases are very serious. But one of these updates dates back to about a month ago and I don’t know whether one of these cases has been presented to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. In any case, given that it usually takes at least a year from the moment the miracle is presented to the dicastery to the end of its assessment and the Pope’s decree, I think it is unlikely Pope Wojtyla will be canonised in 2013.”
Just after Christmas a Polish television channel spread rumours about Pope Wojtyla’s canonization being celebrated next October but the news was not confirmed.
Vatican Insider has learnt that the Postulator of the cause, Mgr. Slawomir Oder, had apparently already picked out the case of healing he was going to present to the Congregation, some time ago.
He had apparently also gathered all necessary documentation.
But before presenting it to the Vatican, the diocesan process needs to take place in the diocese where the miraculous event took place.
Some significant steps forward are therefore being made, but it is too early to talk dates as the Congregation of Saints has not yet examined the case.
On the other hand, it should be noted that, as was seen in the case of John Paul II’s beatification process, technical times can be shortened by a higher power and so surprises are not to be excluded.
It appears far more likely Paul VI will be beatified in 2013, after Benedict XVI recognised his heroic virtues last December, after the identification of a miraculous healing performed by the former pope in California – the healing of an unborn baby.
The miracle is about to be presented to the Congregation.
“It could be examined in the spring - Cardinal Re said – and if it is recognised as a miracle then it could receive final approval by June.”
So Paul VI’s beatification could take place in the second half of 2013, at the end of the Year of Faith.