Sir Frank Peters :
Sunday, April 27, 2014 is a day in the annals of history that no Christian is likely to forget and many non-Christians will remember forever.
Two popes were canonized saints and two living popes were present to witness.
The Vatican expected one-million people to gather in St. Peter’s Square for the unprecedented dual canonization, Pope John Paul II (1920-2005), and Pope John XXIII (1881-1963), and it wasn’t disappointed.
During a special Mass ceremony, co-celebrated by Pope Francis and his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI, the two popes were canonized saints – the highest honour given by the church.
For days prior, thousands of people from all over the world, including Christians from Bangladesh, bedded down for the night in make-shift beds in surrounding side streets, to be as close as possible to the centre of proceedings and hoping to be among the first to enter the Vatican grounds when opened to the public.
It was in response to unprecedented worldwide demand that on 13 May 2005 – the 24th anniversary of the assassination attempt on John Paul II – that Pope Benedict XVI announced the beatification of John Paul II.
Pope John XXIII, who was affectionately known as “Good Pope”, died on June 6, 1963 and was beatified on September 3, 2000 by John Paul II.
Pope Francis, by passing the traditionally required second miracle, declared John XXIII a saint based on his merits of opening the Second Vatican Council.
Pope John Paul II was probably the most widely recognised religious figure in the world and most travelled pope throughout history with 104 trips outside Italy (including one to Bangladesh in 1986). He was also one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century.
It’s widely held that he was instrumental in ending communism in his native Poland and eventually throughout Europe, while at the same time denouncing the excesses of capitalism.
My meeting with His Holiness came about when I changed the title of my charity-orientated magazine for one issue from ‘Pop Thriller’ to ‘Pope Thriller’ primarily for publicity purposes, which otherwise I could not afford, but also in special tribute.
I’m told His Holiness laughed heartily when it was presented to him and an invitation was extended for me to meet with him, which I shall always treasure.
In their lifetimes both popes have touched the hearts, souls, and minds of people globally.
Now they bring new hope and blessings to countless millions in their death. Even from beyond the grave their good work continues.
(Sir Frank Peters is a former newspaper and magazine publisher and editor, an award-winning writer)
