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Pope Benedict in JP II sainthood conflict?

PR dla Zagranicy
Nick Hodge 04.03.2013 13:55
Italian media claims that former Pope Benedict XVI rejected pleas by Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz to speed up the canonisation process of Pope John Paul II.

Former
Former Pope Benedict XVI, now Pope Emeritus, having greeted well-wishers on arrival at the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo on Thursday: photo - EPA/Ettore Ferrari

According to sources including the Vatican Insider, La Repubblica and Quotidiano, Cardinal Dziwisz, Archbishop of Krakow and former secretary to Pope John Paul II, was swift to contact Pope Benedict XVI after the latter announced his abdication plans on 11 February.

However, the outgoing pontiff is understood to have rejected Cardinal Dziwisz's request on procedural, rather than meritocratic grounds.

In the days following the abdication, Cardinal Dziwisz noted in a widely cited comment that Pope John Paul II “did not climb down from the cross,” although Dziwisz later stressed that the point was taken out of context.

However, in his address during his final General Audience, Pope Benedict XVI pointedly declared that “I am not abandoning the cross, but remain in a new way with the crucified lord.”

Pope John Paul II was beatified on 1 May 2011, marking the first important step in his path to sainthood.

Last month, a dossier concerning a miraculous healing believed to have been carried out by Pope John Paul II was submitted to the Vatican's Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

Proof of a miracle is essential for ensuring that a candidate is canonised.

Meanwhile, over 100 cardinals are meeting today at the Vatican, and it is possible that the date of the conclave to choose the next pontiff may be finalised this afternoon. (nh)

Source: PAP, Quotidiano

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