On 9 May 2005, Benedict XVI began the beatification process for his predecessor. Normally five years must pass after a person's death before the beatification process can begin. However, in an audience with Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal Vicar Camillo Ruini, the one responsible for promoting the cause for canonisation of any person who dies within the diocese of Rome, cited "exceptional circumstances" which suggested that the waiting period could be waived.
The "exceptional circumstances" may possibly refer to the people's cries of "Santo Subito!" ("Saint Now!" in Italian) during the late pontiff's funeral. Therefore the new Pope waived the five year rule "so that the cause of Beatification and Canonisation of the same Servant of God can begin immediately". The decision was announced on 13 May 2005, the Feast of Our Lady of Fátima and the 24th anniversary of the assassination attempt on John Paul II at St. Peter's Square. John Paul II often credited Our Lady of Fátima for preserving him on that day. Cardinal Camillo Ruini, vicar general for the diocese of Rome, officially opened the cause for beatification in the Lateran Basilica on 28 June 2005.
In early 2006, it was reported that the Vatican was investigating a possible miracle associated with John Paul II. A French nun, confined to her bed by Parkinson's Disease, is reported to have experienced a "complete and lasting cure after members of her community prayed for the intercession of Pope John Paul II". The nun was later identified as Sister Marie Simon-Pierre.
Sister Marie Simon Pierre is a member of the Congregation of Little Sisters of Catholic Maternity Wards from Puyricard, near Aix-en-Provence. Sister Marie-Simon-Pierre, 46, is working again, now in Paris at a maternity hospital run by her order. She met reporters 30 March 2006 in Aix-en-Provence, during a press conference with Archbishop of Aix Claude Feidt.
On 16 November 2009, a panel of reviewers at the Congregation for the Causes of Saints voted unanimously that Pope John Paul II had lived a life of virtue. If Pope Benedict XVI agrees, he will sign the first of two decrees needed for beatification. The first recognises that he lived a heroic, virtuous life and enables him to be called "Venerable", the next step in the sainthood process. That decree was signed by Pope Benedict XVI on Saturday, December 19, 2009. The second vote and the second signed decree would recognise the authenticity of his first miracle (most likely, the case of Sister Marie-Simon-Pierre, the French nun who was cured of Parkinson's Disease). Once the second decree is signed, the ‘positio’ (the report on the cause, with documentation about his life and his writings and with information on the cause) is regarded as being complete. He can then be beatified. John Paul II was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI on May 1, 2011.
Many already refer or consider him a "Saint" and just waiting for the official declaration or the Canonization Ceremony
It will be another big event in the "Catholic Church History" and experience once again the magnetism and charisma of Pope John Paul II even years after his death.
"The Beatification Ceremony"
The coffin of Pope John Paul 2 exhumed for the beatification
Cardinal Stanislaw Dziswiz kissed the coffin of JP2
The coffin was wrapped with "Gold Cloth"
Crowd at St. Peter's Square
During the beatification ceremony of Blessed Pope John Paul 2
Arrival of Pope Benedict XVI for beatification ceremony
Pope and the Cadinals paying their respect for the late Pope John Paul 2
Unveiling the curtain for the beatification
Pope Benedict XVI kissing the glass reliquary containing the blood of JP2
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| Pope Benedict XVI kissing the glass reliquary containing the blood of JP2 |
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| Sister Marie Simon Pierre and Sister Tobiana Holding the glass reliquary containing the blood of JP2 |
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| Crowd at St. Peter's Square During the beatification ceremony of Blessed Pope John Paul 2 |
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| Crowd at St. Peter's Square During the beatification ceremony of Blessed Pope John Paul 2 |
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| The Tomb of Pope John Paul St. Peter Chapel |
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| The faithfuls paying their respect for the late Pope JP2 |
