Pope Benedict XVI Blog

Vatican: Report raises questions about John Paul II's beatification

Vatican City, 25 June (AKI) - Internal rivalry at the Vatican may compromise moves to beatify Pope John Paul II, according to a report published in the Italian weekly, Panorama, on Friday. The magazine says a long-running rivalry between former secretary of state, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, and the cardinal of Poland, Cardinal Stanislao Dziwisz, has re-emerged. The rivalry "runs the risk" of compromising the beatification of the popular Polish pope.

Sodano is the current dean of the College of Cardinals and was secretary of state from 1990 to 2006, under Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI.

Dziwisz, the archbishop of Krakow, was personal secretary to John Paul II for 40 years and one of the most powerful people at the Vatican during his papacy.

The Vatican began the process for the beatification of Pope John Paul II shortly after his death in April 2005, waiving the normal five year restriction usually required after a person's death.

There is speculation that his beatification, one of the stages that may lead to sainthood, may be confirmed on the fifth anniversary of John Paul's death in April 2010.

Panorama magazine claimed that the Vatican is beset by a number of internal conflicts that risk paralysing the papacy of Pope Benedict XVI.

It says several cardinals in senior positions are divided over issues including dialogue with China, relations with the Jews and the beatification of the late pope.

Inside the Vatican, the head of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, Joseph Levada, is reported to be in conflict with the head of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Antonio Canizares.

Another cardinal, Achille Silvestrini, is accused of challenging the power of the Vatican's influential secretary of state, Tarcisio Bertone.

According to the magazine article, Pope Benedict has had positive medical tests in recent weeks, including a magnetic resonance test and his heart is said to be functioning well.

However, the article is suggesting that manoeuvres have already begun for the next papal conclave to determine his successor.

See also from AKI, "Vatican: Report raises questions about internal debate"

posted by Dr. Denice Hanley, DPM, M.Div. @ 4:25 PM