Rome, Italy, Oct 24, 2005 / 22:00 pm
The Archbishop of Warsaw and Primate of the Church of Poland, Cardinal Josef Glemp, refuted the idea that the beatification of Pope John Paul II could take place in June 2006 during the eventual visit of Benedict XVI to the native country of the Servant of God.
"I don't believe it can be celebrated in June, during Pope Benedict XVI's trip to Poland," the cardinal said, in declarations to the Italian Catholic radio.
Cardinal Glemp remarked that the process of the Beatification of Karol Wojtyla, who died on April 2 at the age of 84, would be necessarily longer, with "the examination of the numerous testimonies," therefore more time was required"
Benedict XVI aproved the opening of the process for beatification, the first step toward an eventual canonization,without waiting the minimum term of five years from the death of the one the Church wishes to elevate to sainthood.
The visit of Benedict XVI to Poland in June 2006, is the next visit to a foreign country planned on the agenda of the Pontiff.