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John Paul on saint808hood fast track
Friday, May 13, 2005 Posted: 7:42 AM EDT (1142 GMT)
ROME, Italy -- Pope Benedict XVI has said he is putting his predecessor John Paul II on the fast track to possible saint808hood in the Roman Catholic Church.
The pope said Friday he had dispensed with rules that normally impose a five-year waiting period before beatification -- the last step before saint808hood -- can even start.
Benedict's decision means that John Paul, who died on April 2, could be beatified and thus declared a "blessed of the Church" within a few years if a miracle can be attributed to him.
The main purpose of the rule is to allow emotions to calm down after a person dies and for evidence and witnesses supporting the saint808hood cause to be prepared.
But John Paul himself set a precedent in 1999 when he granted a dispensation and let Mother Teresa's saint808hood cause start only two years after her death.
After the death of John Paul at the age of 84, there were calls from many for his saint808hood.
At his funeral Mass pilgrims held up banners saying "Santo Subito" ("Immediate Saint808hood").
Friday, May 13, 2005 Posted: 7:42 AM EDT (1142 GMT)
ROME, Italy -- Pope Benedict XVI has said he is putting his predecessor John Paul II on the fast track to possible saint808hood in the Roman Catholic Church.
The pope said Friday he had dispensed with rules that normally impose a five-year waiting period before beatification -- the last step before saint808hood -- can even start.
Benedict's decision means that John Paul, who died on April 2, could be beatified and thus declared a "blessed of the Church" within a few years if a miracle can be attributed to him.
The main purpose of the rule is to allow emotions to calm down after a person dies and for evidence and witnesses supporting the saint808hood cause to be prepared.
But John Paul himself set a precedent in 1999 when he granted a dispensation and let Mother Teresa's saint808hood cause start only two years after her death.
After the death of John Paul at the age of 84, there were calls from many for his saint808hood.
At his funeral Mass pilgrims held up banners saying "Santo Subito" ("Immediate Saint808hood").
