Pope seeks to beatify John Paul
Pope Benedict XVI has begun the process of beatifying his predecessor John Paul II, the
first step to sainthood.
“The cause for the beatification of John Paul II is open,” the new Roman Catholic leader told priests meeting at Rome’s Basilica of St John in Lateran.
The Pope waived the usual rules which require a five-year wait before the Church begins to make someone a saint.
John Paul II died on 2 April, leading to widespread calls from Catholics worldwide for him to be made a saint.
people in St. Peter’s Square below, following in the beloved Sunday tradition of Pope John Paul II.
VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI has designated a cardinal to stand in for him at a beatification ceremony later this month in a shift from his predecessor who declared more “blesseds” and saints than all his predecessors over the past 500 years combined.
VATICAN CITY – Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany, a longtime guardian of doctrinal 
orthodoxy, was elected the new pope Tuesday evening in the first conclave of the new millennium. He chose the name Pope Benedict XVI. Ratzinger, the first German pope since the 11th century, emerged onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, where he waved to a wildly cheering crowd of tens of thousands and gave his first blessing as pope. Other cardinals clad in their crimson robes came out on other balconies to watch him. “Dear brothers and sisters, after the great 
By WILLIAM J. KOLE, Associated Press Writer VATICAN CITY – Cardinals from six continents made their solemn procession to the Sistine Chapel on Monday to convene the new millennium’s first conclave 
Pope John Paul II’s funeral will be held Friday morning, and his remains will be interred in the grotto of St. Peter’s Basilica where pontiffs throughout the ages have been laid to rest, the Vatican said Monday. Chief spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls made the announcement after the College of Cardinals held two meetings over the course of 2 1/2 hours in its first gatherings since the pope’s death and ahead of a secret vote later this month to elect a successor to John Paul.
In event of the sad demise of our holy father , the pope , this website will not be 
updated for the next three days (until april 5 th exept for news related to the Pope). Let us pray for the repose of the soul of our pointiff, our father the Pope Jean Paul II. 
By VICTOR L. SIMPSON, Associated Press Writer VATICAN CITY – 
By VICTOR L. SIMPSON, Associated Press Writer VATICAN CITY – Pope John Paul (
