John XXIII and John Paul II to be claimed Saints next year

During the session held yesterday in Latin with the presence of all the cardinals, the Pope Francis announced the upcoming canonization of Pope John XXIII and John Paul II.

The event will be held on April 27, 2014, the first Sunday after the celebrations of Holy Week, when the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of Divine Mercy.

In the case of John Paul II (1920-2005), his path to canonization was made in record time, still meeting all the requirements set forth by the Catholic Church. This was possible when Benedict XVI dismissed a rule that required a period of five years before they started the paperwork for canonization.

Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman said that Pope  Francis, in the case of John XXIII, has no doubt of his holiness. On July 5, 2013, the current pope, who emphasized on several occasions the concepts of  the “good Pope”, stunned the world after announcing that he would proclaim him a saint without waiting for a miracle, on a unprecedented decision.

Once these Popes are canonized, then they will be  announced as saints and will be raised to the altars along with Pius X, who became a saint on September 3, 1954.