Well Deserved Sainthood

Pope John Paul II’s canonization as a saint was fast tracked, but is nevertheless well deserved.

Pope John Paul II and President Reagan (Credit: Poland.USEmbassy.gov)

At a time when Russia is behaving aggressively, John Paul’s actions in helping topple the Soviet Union are even more memorable, all of which is detailed in John O’Sullivan’s excellent book, “The President, the Pope and the Prime Minister: Three WhoChanged the World.”

 

The book explains how former archbishop of Krakow Karol Józef Wojtyla’s role was equal to that of Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher in crushing communism as a global threat. The godless ideology didn’t die (i.e. North Korea, China and Cuba), but it is no longer an inherent danger.

The first non-Italian pope in 400 years eagerly helped Poland’s Solidarity Movement’s opposition against communist control in his home country. As a native of Poland, it is such a privilege to live through such a historic moment.

Outside of geopolitics, Saint John Paul II demonstrated a Christian example to the world. He was a man of the people and realized we are all the creations of a loving God. In December 1983, he not only forgave but visited Mehmet Ali Agca, the man who shot him in an assassination attempt.

 

“I spoke to him as a brother whom I have pardoned and who has my complete trust,” the Pope said after the visit.

Living out his faith and the assist in thrusting the Soviet Union on the ash heap of history is incredibly significant but not the miracles that warranted his sainthood.

French nun Marie Simon Pierre was cured of Parkinson’s disease and Floribeth Mora Diaz of Costa Rica was cured of a brain aneurysm, miracles attributed to Pope John Paul’s prayers.  

Pope John XXIII’s who had a short but influential papacy brought us Vatican II and was also deserving of being canonized on the same day.

"They lived through the tragic events of that century, but they were not overwhelmed by them,” Pope Francis said Sunday. “For them, God was more powerful; faith was more powerful -- faith in Jesus Christ the Redeemer of man and the Lord of history.”

  

Pope Francis said Saint John XXIII was “the pope of openness to the Spirit” and Saint John Paul II was “the pope of the family.”