Pope Benedict XVI Blog

Pope saint move 'possible in 2009'

» 2009-06-04 13:58

John Paul II could be beatified this year, ex- spokesman says

(ANSA) - Rome, June 4 - Late pope John Paul II could be beatified this year, former Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said Thursday.

''The two key technical passages that are missing could happen this year,'' he told Sole 24 Ore.

Once the cardinals and bishops of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints have greenlighted a decree recognising John Paul's ''heroic virtues'' - a key requirement - and certified a miracle attributed to him, ''the pope can decide the date to proclaim his beatification,'' Navarro said, adding that ''he can do it at any moment''.

The Vatican this week denied reports in Italian newspapers that John Paul II's cause had been slowed because a Polish psychiatrist, Wanda Poltawska, had failed to hand over some personal correspondence with the Polish pontiff.

Navarro-Valls said Wednesday that he did not believe the letters ''would put the brakes on the process'', adding that he ''did not see this great friendship'' which Poltawska claims to have had with the late pope.

''I exclude, 1000%, that (Poltawska) could have influenced the pope's decisions,'' he added.
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posted by Dr. Denice Hanley, DPM, M.Div. @ 6:11 PM