Saints are not saints because they fit some precast mould of perfection. The Church has proclaimed at least 20,000 saints over its two millennia and no two of them are the same.
John Paul II’s influence key to fall of communism
By Francis X. Rocca, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Catholics venerate Blessed John Paul II for his holiness, as demonstrated, among other ways, by his globetrotting evangelism and long-suffering endurance in the papacy despite his illness.
Calling Vatican II was an act of faith
By Francis X. Rocca, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Blessed John XXIII called the Second Vatican Council in the conviction that it was necessary for the Catholic Church, yet without pre-conceived ideas of what it would accomplish, said Vatican II participants who recalled the event half a century later.
An innovative pontiff
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - The first anniversary of Pope Francis’ election brought stories highlighting the unique style he has brought to the papacy. But maybe people have forgotten how much of what passes today for papal “tradition” was actually an innovation of Pope John Paul II.
John Paul brought moral force, intellect, flair to world stage
By Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Blessed John Paul II is remembered as was one of the most forceful moral leaders of the modern age.
Pope John XXIII often skirted protocol
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Blessed John XXIII struggled to shake off many formalities that came with the papacy and often conspired with his valet to sneak out of the Vatican.
Short pontificate left a long legacy
By Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - A plump, elderly, smiling Italian of peasant origins, Pope John XXIII brought a humble yet charismatic, personal style to the papacy. He placed great importance on his modest upbringing in a village about 40 km northeast of Milan, saying: “I come from the country, from poverty,” adding it was a “happy and blessed poverty — not cursed, not endured.”
Pope says he hopes new saints will inspire church to fulfill mission
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Just days before Pope Francis was set to canonize two of his predecessors, he expressed his hopes the two soon-to-be saints would continue to inspire the whole church in its mission.
Women recount the stories of healing through intercession of popes
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - People said Floribeth Mora Diaz was crazy to think Blessed John Paul II interceded with God to heal her brain aneurysm, but if so, "then it is a blessed craziness, because I'm healthy," she told reporters at the Vatican.
Human rights complaint accuses French board of homophobia
By Evan Boudreau, The Catholic RegisterMISSISSAUGA, ONT. - A human rights complaint alleging systemic homophobia in an Ontario French-language Catholic school is “groundless,” said a board superintendent.
Dufferin-Peel board won't appeal ruling exempting student from religion class
By Catholic Register StaffMISSISSAUGA, ONT. - The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board will not appeal a court decision that allows parents to remove their non-Catholic children from religious classes and events.