Blessed John Paul II, Pope Benedict declared his predecessor Blessed

Pope Benedict XVI approved the miraculous healing of a French nun on Friday, paving the way for his predecessor to be officially declared Blessed, the final stage on the road to sainthood. The beatification took place at the Vatican on May 1. Celebrations to mark the beatification of Pope John Paul II aren't simply confined to Rome. Around the world, many other places have also been joining in. In Poland, says Associated Press, over 120,000 people braved the rain at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in the Lagiewniki district of Krakow to watch events from the Vatican on giant screens. Later a reliquary of Pope John Paul II's blood was carried in procession to an outdoor altar where mass was offered. About Blessed John Paul II Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła ( 18 May 1920 – 2 April 2005), known as Blessed John Paul II since his beatification on May 1, 2011, reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of The Holy See from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at 84 years and 319 days of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted 26 years and 168 days; only Pope Pius IX (1846–1878) who served 31 years, has reigned longer. Pope John Paul II is the only Slavic or Polish pope to date, and was the first non-Italian Pope since Dutch Pope Adrian VI (1522–1523). John Paul II has been acclaimed as one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century.[4] It is widely held that he was instrumental in ending communism in his native Poland and eventually all of Europe. Conversely, he denounced the excesses of capitalism. John Paul II is widely said to have significantly improved the Catholic Church's relations with Judaism, Islam, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and the Anglican Communion.

This video is a A Tribute to Mother Teresa Of Kolkata and Pope John Paul 2nd. Video Edited By Bristow and Steo for JesusYouth Irinjalakuda Video Ministry and Prolife Mnistry. Courtesy: BBC News




His October 1979 visit to Washington, DC and the CUA Campus


In March 2005 Pope John Paul II appeared briefly at his Vatican window to bless the faithful despite his failing health. He died three days later.