Pope John Paul II’s coffin was taken from St. Peter’s Basilica and returned to St. Peter’s Square for his beatification – a necessary step on the path to sainthood – on Sunday, May 1. Attended by over a million people in Rome, celebrated by Catholics worldwide and presided over by Pope Benedict, Sister Marie Simon-Pierre – whose recovery from Parkinson’s disease can be attributed to a miracle worked by the late Pope according to Church authorities – participated in the beatification mass. A second miracle is currently being investigated by the Vatican as two separated acts are essential to clinch canonization as a saint.
The five-year waiting period after death to begin an investigation was waived for the late John Paul – who died in 2005 – by Pope Benedict who began the process only weeks after his death. While a majority agree that the John Paul II deserves his expected sainthood, critics have argued that beatification happened too fast.
“Why wait?” asked Pastor Anthony Rucando of Our lady of Grace in Howard Beach. “His life was outstanding. We aren’t pretending he was a remarkable person. He was. [The beatification process] was unique in many aspects, but so was he.”
Rucando, who saw the late Pope during his trips to New York and during a visit to Rome, described his spirit as “electric” mentioning that he was the most travelled Pope in history visiting every continent on 100 foreign trips.
“He brought the papacy to you,” said Rucando.
Those in attendance at John Paul’s funeral at St. Peter’s Square chanted “Santo Subito” which means “saint now” – a sentiment shared by Pastor Alfred LoPinto at St. Helen’s Church.
“All you had to do was listen to the people. They represented millions beyond that crowd,” said Pastor LoPinto speaking about the late Pope’s funeral.
In response to those that think his beatification was rushed, LoPinto argues that many believe his sainthood is overdue.
“In the minds of the people, they already saw him as a saint,” said LoPinto. “When no one would have faulted him [toward the end of his life], he continued to push himself for the people.”
John Paul II – the first non-Italian pontiff in 450 years – has been credited with playing an integral part in the fall of communism in the East Bloc in 1989 and famously forgiving the assassin that almost claimed his life two years after he was shot in St. Peter’s Square.
