ROME -- More than a million pilgrims, the largest crowd to ever witness such an event, was on hand Saturday morning for the Beatfication of Blessed John Paul II by His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI.
A huge round of applause rose up from St. Peter’s Square, passing along the Via della Conciliazione and side streets to the Circus Maximus -- where thousands of people followed the celebration on video screens -- when Pope Benedict XVI read the formula of beatification.“We grant that the venerable Servant of God John Paul II, Pope, henceforth be called Blessed and that his feast may be celebrated in the places and according to the regulations established by law, every year on Oct. 22,” he read in Latin.
A smiling portrait of Karol Wojtyla, from a 1995 photograph, was uncovered at that moment on a large banner that hung from the main loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica. The pilgrims, many from Poland, were unable to hold back their tears.
The French nun Marie Simon-Pierre, whose inexplicable healing from Parkinson’s disease made it possible to conclude the beatification process, along with Sister Tobiana, the Polish nun who assisted John Paul II’s physician, carried in procession a relic of Karol Wojtyla, a cruet of his blood.
The “powerful” of the world were also present: 62 delegations led by heads of state and government as well as royal families, besides the other countries officially represented.
Some 2,300 journalists were present and 1,300 televisions stations.
To read Pope Benedict XVI's homily go to: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/homilies/2011/documents/hf_ben-xvi_hom_20110501_beatificazione-gpii_en.html
