It's hard to keep up with the flow of news about the beatification of Pope John Paul II, but I'm trying. Here's a brief (but by now means complete) rundown of some of the more interesting articles and perspectives. First off, John Allen, who will be covering the beatification for CNN, has a run-down on the concerns over the "rushing" of the beatification here in a lengthy article in NCR. (It's a more extensive version of his piece in Newsweek, and is probably the best article I've seen that addresses some of these topics.) Allen is also providing a helpful series of daily Q&As on the upcoming beatification Mass on Sunday. Second, George Weigel, the pope's biographer, responds to some of the critics of the beatification, particularly those who raise the question of the late pope's handling of abuse cases. Third, one parish in the United States has already taken the (now-approved name) of "Blessed John Paul II." Fourth, an article about the decision concerning selection of the new Blessed's Feast Day. Fifth, a charming article in which the pope's pilot recalls his time aboard "Shepherd One" with John Paul (and his somewhat uncanny knack for ushering in good weather). Fifth, the type of relic that will be used (in churches, etc.) in remembrance of the late pope. Sixth, and most recently, the surprising news from Cardinal Camillo Ruini that the cardinals at the conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI petitioned to have the five-year waiting period for John Paul's beatification waived. And finally (whew!) a video from Rome Reports on the beatification process.
Blessed John Paul II News from All Over
The latest from america
Pope Leo XIV urged new archbishops to help him foster unity in a church rich in diversity. Eight of those new archbishops are from the United States, and they spoke to Catholic News Service about how they can help promote fraternity in today’s polarized world.
This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley chat with Christopher White about his new book, ‘Pope Leo XVI: Inside the Conclave and the Dawn of a New Papacy.’
Kerry Weber is an executive editor for America. On May 20, 2025, the Catholic Media Association announced that she was elected president,
"The whole church needs fraternity, which must be present in all of our relationships, whether between lay people and priests, priests and bishops, bishops and the pope," he said during his homily at Mass on the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul June 29.
Divisions? This Pope is acclaimed by all for his "brave" stand against the commies and we can picture him as a Ronnie Reagan with a breviary at hand.Which should lead us to ask why didn't Jesus have the courage to take on the Romans?
Weigel makes the same mistake most Americans make by thinking that it all happened in America first.I am proud to say that Backward little Ireland was at the very cutting edge of all the abuse scandals and coverups and this was in the early 90's.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHKBCgWAvsU
This woman may be a little mad but what she did in 92 was a reaction to facts on the ground.
The reason people love the Pope is because they link him to a moral cause.War? He's your man.Abortion?He's your man. Poverty?He's your man.Anti-communism?He's your man.Anti-capitalism?He's your man.
Jesus was a slacker compared to the Great one.
Two Italian friends of mine who are atheists told me "He was fantastic!" I am sure that he will be glad his message got through.....
In Rome you cannot move without seeing his image ,every second poster is with a child.Message:Children?We love em,would never harm them.
We catholics dismissed claims by protestants of idolatry centuries ago under the idea that they did not understand our devotion.We now no longer even know what the word means. Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of Rome and show you.
The Church has nothing to offer the world but Christ and as soon as we forget that and trade HIM in for a shot of Kant meets scheler and hairsplitting moralism all is lost.
Once this nonsense is over I am hoping that Pope Benedict gives us the real deal.
My question is , though man ywil celebrate fulsomely as in my own parish, how is the Church moving forward by this act in the polarized pro and con world of today?
I think JPII will remain a polarizing figure for many.
(A second related question is the issue of clericalism which is also highly divisive.)
My own view is that we just go along a bifurcated path in a rather disunited Church and that that path will continue.)
John Paul II is a polarizing figure, and they have chosen to rush the sainthood process for him. Why? The only answer that seems to make sense is that they are almost deliberately seeking to push ''progressives'' out of the church. They silence progressive theologians, pressure Jesuits to fire their editor, and severly punish anyone who defends women's ordination. In fact, supporting women's ordination seems to be approaching abortion in moral heinousness to these men. They don't want anyone except 19th century Catholics in the church anymore - their preferred strategy for ending division in the church seems to be to continue to push the ''dissenters'' to leave and don't forget to shut the door behind you on your way out.
I find it interesting that John Paul II is equally disliked by the far right (the SSPX) and the far left. To me, that suggests he did something right.