Pope Francis has announced that two of his recent predecessors, John Paul II and John XXIII, will be made saints on 27 April 2014 – the Sunday after Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday).
The announcement was made at a Consistory for Some Causes of Canonisation in the Consistory Hall of the Vatican Apostolic Palace on Monday 30 September 2013.
The Consistory is a gathering of cardinals and bishops either residing within 100 miles of Rome or travelling to the city.
John Paul II is the third longest serving Pope, 1978-2005, and one of his 104 overseas visits, in 1982, was an historic first visit to the UK.
John XXIII was pontiff from 1958-1963 and convened the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965).
To allow for the simultaneous canonisation of both Popes, Pope Francis decided that only one miracle was needed for John XXIII’s cause to proceed.
thepapalvisit.org.uk/JPII-1982
Full section, including audio and galleries, looking back on John Paul II’s visit to the UK in 1982
cbcew.org.uk/vatican-2
The decrees, constitutions and declarations of the Second Vatican Council.
