Pope Francis Proclaims John Paul II and John XXIII as Saints in Historic Ceremony
Pope Francis has declared John Paul II and John XXIII as the newest saints of the Catholic Church in a momentous ceremony held on Sunday. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims gathered to commemorate the two pontiffs, who played significant roles in shaping the history of the 20th century. The event marked the first time in history that two living popes have celebrated mass together.
During the ceremony, Pope Francis declared in Latin, We declare and define as saints the blessed John XXIII and John Paul II, which was met with applause and chants of Amen! from the enthusiastic crowd in St. Peter’s Square. In his homily, Pope Francis praised the two saints as men of courage who fearlessly worked towards renewing and updating the Church despite the challenges of the 20th century.
The presence of Pope emeritus Benedict XVI added to the historic significance of the ceremony. Benedict XVI, who resigned from his position last year, made a rare public appearance, dressed in his white papal cassock. He joined Pope Francis in celebrating the mass, marking the first time that two living popes have jointly presided over a religious service.
The Vatican estimated that around 800,000 people attended the ceremony, with half a million gathered in and around St. Peter’s Square. Many supporters waved the red-and-white flags of John Paul II’s native Poland and donned traditional Polish folk costumes. The atmosphere was festive and jubilant, with one pilgrim holding a banner that read, Two pope saints in heaven, two in St. Peter’s Square.
John Paul II, who was immensely popular but also a divisive figure, served as pope for 27 years. He played a significant role in toppling communism in Eastern Europe and survived an assassination attempt in 1981. His canonization was accelerated, taking place just nine years after his death, making it the fastest canonization in centuries. John XXIII, known as Good Pope John, is remembered for his efforts to reform the Catholic Church in the 1960s and his peacemaking initiatives during the Cold War.
By declaring John Paul II and John XXIII as saints on the same day, Pope Francis aimed to unify different factions within the Catholic Church. The move was seen as an attempt to bridge conservative and reformist perspectives. It also solidified Pope Francis’ authority over the Vatican and further established his unifying role.
A total of 98 foreign delegations attended the ceremony, including former Polish president Lech Walesa and international leaders such as the kings of Belgium and Spain. Notably, President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, who is banned from entering the European Union, was allowed to attend in Vatican City. The presence of these dignitaries testifies to the global significance of the event.
The canonization of John Paul II and John XXIII sparked celebrations around the world. Tens of thousands of pilgrims gathered in Krakow, Poland, to honor John Paul II, while Mexico City hosted a special mass attended by approximately 10,000 people. The event marked a significant moment in the relationship between Mexico and the Vatican, as formal diplomatic relations were only established in 1992.
The proclamation of John Paul II and John XXIII as saints exemplifies Pope Francis’ dedication to fostering unity and guiding the Catholic Church into the future. This historic ceremony will be remembered as a pivotal moment in the church’s history, honoring two influential figures who played vital roles in shaping the 20th century.
