Vatican City, Jun 9, 2005 / 22:00 pm
The Vatican will open the beatification process for Pope John Paul II June 28, announced Camillo Cardinal Ruini.
The cardinal made the announcement yesterday at the close of a diocesan convention on Family and Christian Community.
Pope John Paul II died April 2, after a 26-year pontificate. At his funeral April 8, thousands of faithful voiced their wish that the process for John Paul’s beatification begin immediately.
Their wish came true last month, when Pope Benedict XVI announced that he would waive the usual five-year waiting period after someone’s death and begin the process soon.
Cardinal Ruini confirmed this decision by announcing the official start of the process, which will be June 28 at 7.pm., in the Basilica of St John within the Walls.