JOHN PAUL II’s beatification on May 1st will be the most exalted ceremony at the Vatican since his funeral six years ago. More than 50 heads of state are expected, plus hundreds of thousands of the faithful, largely from the late pope’s native Poland. The former pope is now just one stage—canonisation—away from full sainthood. The adulation of his communism-toppling 27-year reign and powerful personality will inevitably highlight the less stellar record of the accident-prone Benedict XVI.
"[L]ess stellar record"? Oh dear!
Why the heads of state for a beatification in the Roman Catholic Church? Oh right. The Vatican is a state, and the pope is a head of state. It's all so confusing.
Giovanni Maria Vian, editor of the Vatican’s semi-official daily, L’Osservatore Romano, says that Benedict’s actions show him to be “not just a great intellectual, but also a simple, humble, good man”. The peak of the scandal, in the “annus horribilis” of 2010, is past, he says. But he acknowledges that the situation in Ireland still requires a “long penitential journey”.
However, as mentioned in the article, there was the suspension of 21 Roman Catholic priests in Philadelphia, month before last, in the year 2011, and there could be more surprises ahead.
Thanks to Ann V for the link.
UPDATE: Torey Lightcap at The Lead posts that President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, despite his "total disregard for life", will be present at the ceremony.
