The faithful in Poland and Roman Catholic church hierarchs have been rejoicing over the imminent beatification of the Polish born Pope John Paul II, which will take place on 1 May this year.

Pope Benedict XVI announced the date at noon today in what is a major step towards the canonisation of the Polish Pope.

Warsaw metropolitan, Cardinal Kazimierz Nycz said he expects the beatification to be a great festival of joy for all Poles and people all over the world.

The cardinal hopes that it will unite Poles as much as the late pontiff’s pilgrimages to Poland used to unite its people.

Polish bishops said the beatification of Pope John Paul II will be a call on the faithful to re-discover the pope and his teachings.

The Krakow metropolitan and former personal secretary of the late Pope, Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz expressed gratitude for the closure of the beatification process.

Street marches and prayers in gratitude for the decision of the Vatican will take place in many Polish cities tonight on the initiative of students holding scholarships of the “New Millennium Deed” church foundation.

Young people have been passing on information about the planned events through social portals and mobile phones.  (kk)