Canonizations

The Latest

Pope Francis presides over canonization Mass for Saints John Paul II and John XXIII on April 27, 2014

Pope: Christ’s wounds are sign of God’s love

Apr 27, 2014

At the canonization Mass for Popes John Paul II and John XXIII on Divine Mercy Sunday, Pope Francis emphasized the... Read more

The images of Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II hanging from the facade of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican April 25, 2014

Popes John Paul II, John XXIII officially declared saints

Apr 27, 2014

By Elise Harris

In a packed St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Divine Mercy Sunday, Pope Francis officially declared former pontiffs John... Read more

Pilgrims participate in White Night of Prayer on eve of the April 27, 2014 canonizations of Bl. John Paul II and John XXIII.

Pilgrims fill Roman churches in vigils before canonizations

Apr 26, 2014

Parishes throughout the city of Rome were filled the evening of April 26 with pilgrims spending the night in prayer... Read more

Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Square, April 18, 2012.

Benedict XVI to concelebrate at canonization Mass

Apr 26, 2014

The Holy See’s press office has announced that retired pontiff Benedict XVI will be a concelebrant at Sunday’s Mass and... Read more

Pilgrims in St. Peter's Square for the Pope's Wednesday general audience on October 2, 2013.

Canonization Mass may draw 1,000 bishop concelebrants

Apr 24, 2014

Holy See Press Office director Father Federico Lombardi said that as many as 150 cardinals and 1,000 bishops will concelebrate... Read more

Minor Basilica of San Marco Evangelista al Campidoglio in Rome, July 2012.

Ancient Roman church to host English pre-canonization prayer vigil

Apr 24, 2014

On April 26, the evening before the canonizations of Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII, English speaking pilgrims... Read more

Blessed John Paul II Shrine in Washington D.C., Oct 2, 2013.

Knights of Columbus prepares to celebrate papal canonizations

Apr 23, 2014

The Knights of Columbus will sponsor major celebrations of the double canonization of Pope John Paul II and Pope John... Read more

Benedict XVI. Photo

Benedict XVI: I knew during his life that John Paul II was a saint

Apr 23, 2014

In a rare interview, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI recalled his close friendship with Blessed John Paul II, saying that the... Read more

Bl. Pope John Paul II and Bl. Pope John XXIII.

Cardinal: dedication to God links John XXIII, John Paul II

Apr 22, 2014

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The papacies of John XXIII and John Paul II are connected in their dedication to God and to lives of... Read more

Bl. Pope John XXIII's tomb at St. Peter's Basilica.

Spanish archbishop encourages faithful to attend canonizations

Apr 2, 2014

Archbishop Jose Ansejo Pelegrina of Seville, Spain, has issued a pastoral letter inviting Catholics to take part in pilgrimages to... Read more

Workers at the Vatican restore part of the Bernini colonnade in early 2014.

St. Peter's Square restorations to be completed for Easter, canonizations

Mar 1, 2014

The restoration of the Bernini colonnade and other historic pieces in St. Peter’s Square will be finished by Easter, in... Read more

Pope Francis walks with Archbishop Georg Ganswein in St. Peter's Square during the Wednesday general audience on Dec. 4, 2013

Pope advances the causes of eight possible Saints

Jan 28, 2014

By Elise Harris

During a Monday meeting with the head of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints, Pope Francis approved the... Read more

(L-R) Paul Tagliabue, Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Sir Gilbert Levine, and Polish Ambassador Ryszard Schnepf.

DC concert to share message of Bl. John XXIII, John Paul II

Jan 20, 2014

By Adelaide Mena

An upcoming concert in Washington, D.C., will celebrate the lives and canonizations of Popes John XXIII and John Paul II,... Read more

Blessed John Paul II Shrine in Washington D.C.

John Paul II shrine prepares for canonization with joy

Oct 3, 2013

By Adelaide Mena

Upon hearing the official date for John Paul II’s canonization, the Washington, D.C., shrine dedicated to the former Pope is... Read more

Pope Pius XII. CNA file photo.

Pope Francis thinking about declaring Pius XII a saint

Jul 31, 2013

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Pope Francis is considering whether he will make Pope Pius XII a saint, in the same way that he approved... Read more

Cardinal Angelo Comastri.

Cardinal says two soon-to-be saint Popes had 'great affinity'

Jul 20, 2013

A member of the Vatican department in charge of canonization says that John XXIII and John Paul II, both expected... Read more

Vatican press office director Father Federico Lombardi appears at a March 5, 2013 press conference.

Consistory to pick canonization dates could be in September

Jul 8, 2013

By Carl Bunderson

The director of the Holy See’s Press Office says the consistory of cardinals which will discuss the canonization of Bl.... Read more

Pope John Paul II Visits United Nations.

Vatican theologians approve second miracle of John Paul II

Jun 19, 2013

Theologians at the Congregation for the Causes of Saints have approved a second miracle granted through the intercession of Blessed... Read more

CNA

John Paul II's canonization progress remains confidential

Feb 22, 2013

The Vatican’s continuing work on Blessed John Paul II’s cause for sainthood cannot currently be made public, said the prefect... Read more

Inside the basilica at the Oratory of Saint Joseph during the Nov. 4, 2012 National Mass of Thanksgiving for St. Kateri's canonization.

Bishop Gendron: St. Kateri Mass began healing of Canadian divisions

Nov 11, 2012

By Carl Bunderson

Canadians from the country’s First Nations and those of European descent took an important step toward reconciliation when they gathered... Read more