The canonization of popes John XXIII and John Paul II together in one, historic ceremony was a moment of great joy and thanksgiving for the universal Church. But it was also an opportunity to reflect on the history of the past fifty years, namely, the Second Vatican Council and its ongoing implementation. In this extended ...read more

Here below is the full text in English of Pope Francis’ homily at the mass of Canonization of Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII: At the heart of this Sunday, which concludes the Octave of Easter and which John Paul II wished to dedicate to Divine Mercy, are the glorious wounds of the risen Jesus. ...read more

Polish Auxiliary Bishop Karol Wojtyla of Krakow, wearing sunglasses, is pictured in St. Peter’s Square in 1963 during the Second Vatican Council. The future Pope John Paul II helped draft council documents on religious liberty and the church in the modern world. He will be canonized April 27 with Blessed John XXIII. (CNS photo/Giancarlo Giuliani, ...read more

The Milewski family greets Pope John Paul II at the door of their modest house in Wigry, Poland, June 8, 1999. The pontiff made an unexpected visit to the home on his day of respite during a 13-day visit to his homeland. (CNS photo by Arturo Mari) ...read more

Pope John Paul II is pictured during a 1986 interfaith prayer gathering in the Italian town of Assisi. (CNS file photo/KNA)  ...read more

  Pope John Paul II was in many respects a pope of firsts: the first pope to visit the White House, the first pope to visit Cuba, and the most widely traveled Pope in history. He is recognized as helping to end the Communist rule in his native Poland, and eventually all of Europe. He ...read more

Pope John Paul II gestures during his 1980 visit to Paris, France. (CNS photo/Catholic Press Photo)  ...read more

Pope John Paul II holds a koala bear during his 1986 visit to Australia. (CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano) ...read more

Before a crowd of over 150,000 people in St. Peter’s Square this morning, April 20, 2014, Pope Francis celebrated the Mass of Easter Sunday. He did not deliver a homily during mass but gave the traditional “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and the world) Message and Blessing to the crowd at the conclusion of ...read more

With rosary in hand, Pope John Paul II scans the crowd as his helicopter circles Colorado’s Cherry Creek State Park before the closing Mass for World Youth Day Aug. 15, 1993. “Place your intelligence, your talents, your enthusiasm, your compassion and your fortitude at the service of life,” the pope told the hundreds of thousands ...read more