Today marks the 90th anniversary of the birth of the late pope, John Paul II.
Karol Wojtyla was born on 18 May 1920 in the town of Wadowice in southern Poland. His 27-year pontificate, exceptional in the record number of pilgrimages and canononisations, was reflected in the words he delivered at the commencement of his mission: “Fear not. Open wide your doors to Christ and his authority of salvation.”
John Paul II is believed to have inspired the non-violent resistance movement to communism in Poland, contributing to the collapse of the regime in the country.
During the pope’s last pilgrimage to his homeland, the Holy Father delivered a blessing, which he concluded with a moving confession: "Jointly with the Catholic Church in Poland, taking Christ as witness I repeat: "Jesus, I vest faith in you." May this sincere confession bring consolation to future generations in the new millennium. May the merciful God bless you all. And I just want to end by saying that it's sad to leave."
Karol Wojtyla died on 2 April 2005. Following his death, a beatification process of the late pope was soon inaugurated. His successor, Benedict XVI, stepped up the procedures in response to such calls of thousands of Catholics attending the pope’s funeral, chanting “Santo Subito” (Sainthood Now). While the entire process is slowly coming to a close the final term of beatification remains unknown. (aba)
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