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October 19, 2014

Pope beatifies Blessed Paul VI, the 'great helmsman' of Vatican II

Pope Francis bows in front of an icon of the Presentation of Jesus at the beginning of the beatification Mass of Blessed Paul VI in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Oct. 19. The Mass also concluded the extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family. Bless ed Paul, who served as pope from 1963-1978, is most remembered for his 1968 encyclical, "Humanae Vitae," which affirmed the church's teaching against artificial contraception.

VATICAN CITY - Beatifying Blessed Paul VI at the concluding Mass of the Synod of Bishops on the family, Pope Francis praised the late pope as the "great helmsman" of the Second Vatican Council and founder of the synod, as well as a "humble and prophetic witness of love for Christ and his church."

Published in Faith