Every pope who has led the Church since the time of the Second Vatican Council will have his own feast day
Pope Francis salutes the audience during his Angelus prayer from a window of the apostolic palace overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on June 26. (Photo: AFP)
Pope Francis has probably done more than any Roman pontiff in modern history to reform and demythologize the imperial papacy.
And yet the paradox is that no one has ever canonized so many dead popes. In less than 10 years in office, Francis has declared three of them saints — John XXIII, Paul VI and John Paul II. And soon he will make John Paul I, the pope who reigned for only 33 days, a "blessed".
After the Sept. 4 beatification ceremony, which has just been confirmed, every pope who has led the Church since the time of the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) will have his own feast day on the liturgical calendar.
The only exceptions, of course, are the two who are still alive — Benedict XVI and Francis.
Click here to read the full article
Help us keep UCA News independent
The Church in Asia needs objective and independent journalism to speak the truth about the Church and the state.
With a network of professionally qualified journalists and editors across Asia, UCA News is just about meeting that need. But professionalism does not come cheap. We depend on you, our readers, to help maintain our independence and seek that truth.
A small donation of US$2 a month would make a big difference in our quest to achieve our goal.
Share your comments
SPECIAL EBOOKS
