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FAITH/STORIES

ope John Paul II celebrated his final international World Youth Day in Toronto in 2002. The Polish-born pontiff, then age 82, described himself as "old," but looked and sounded better than he had in months, demonstrating once again his special chemistry with young people.

Pope John Paul II was a witness to hope

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Wonderful, wonderful news! John Paul II, the globe-trotting Polish pope who led the Church for 27 years will be canonized by Pope Francis, probably before the end of the year. So, too, will Pope John XXIII, best remembered for calling the Second Vatican Council. But it is John Paul “The Great” who is my subject.

An altar containing images of Blessed John Paul II is pictured in the house of Floribeth Mora Diaz, the Costa Rican woman whose inexplicable cure has been attributed to the intercession of the late Polish pontiff. The Vatican announced July 5 that Pope Francis has signed the decree approving his sainthood, along with Pope John XXIII.

Double canonization united by Vatican II

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Two generations of Canadians will be united in the canonization of the pope who called the Second Vatican Council and the one who interpreted it for 27 years.

ope Francis, right, embraces retired Pope Benedict XVI during a ceremony in the Vatican gardens July 5. During the service, Pope Francis blessed a new statue of St. Michael the Archangel and recited separate prayers to consecrate Vatican City to St. Jo seph and to St. Michael.

Pope consecrates Vatican City to St. Joseph, St. Michael the Archangel

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VATICAN CITY - With retired Pope Benedict XVI sitting next to him, Pope Francis formally recited separate prayers to consecrate Vatican City to St. Joseph and to St. Michael the Archangel.

Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, reads a press bulletin during a new conference regarding the canonization efforts for Blessed John Paul II and Blessed John XXIII July 5 at the Vatican. Pope Francis signed a decre e recognizing the miracle needed for the canonization of Blessed John Paul II and has asked the world's cardinals to vote on the canonization of Blessed John XXIII, even in the absence of a miracle.

Encyclical illustrates continuity of two papacies, officials say

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VATICAN CITY - Presenting Pope Francis' new encyclical and acknowledging how much of it was prepared by retired Pope Benedict XVI, top Vatican officials hailed it as a unique expression of the development of papal teaching and unity in faith.

A Polish woman holds a prayer card featuring Blessed John Paul II during a Mass celebrated in his hometown of Wadowice, Poland, May 1, 2011, the day of his beatification. The late pontiff will be declared a saint, the Vatican said July 5, after officials approved a second miracle attributed to his intercession.

Pope clears the way for the canonizations of John Paul II, John XXIII

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VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis signed a decree clearing the way for the canonization of Blessed John Paul II and has decided also to ask the world's cardinals to vote on the canonization of Blessed John XXIII, even in the absence of a miracle.

This is the cover of the English edition of Pope Francis' first encyclical, "Lumen Fidei" ("The Light of Faith"). The encyclical was released at the Vatican July 5.

'Lumen Fidei' at a glance

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VATICAN CITY - Here at a glance are the main points of Pope Francis' encyclical "Lumen Fidei" ("The Light of Faith"), released July 5.

Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, holds a copy of Pope Francis' first encyclical, "Lumen Fidei" ("The Light of Faith"), during a news conference for its release at the Vatican July 5.

Excerpts from Pope Francis' encyclical 'Lumen Fidei'

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VATICAN CITY - Here are excerpts from Pope Francis' first encyclical, "Lumen Fidei" ("The Light of Faith"), released July 5:

Copies of Pope Francis' first encyclical, "Lumen Fidei" ("The Light of Faith"), are seen at the the Vatican press office July 5.

In first encyclical, pope celebrates faith as the light of human life

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VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis' first encyclical, "Lumen Fidei" ("The Light of Faith"), is a celebration of Christian faith as the guiding light of a "successful and fruitful life," inspiring social action as well as devotion to God, and illuminating "every aspect of human existence," including philosophy and the natural sciences.

Blessed John Paul II gestures to the crowd at World Youth Day in Denver in 1993. Although the process is not complete and is supposed to be secret at this point, Italian media reported that the canonization of the late pontiff is a step closer after an a lleged miracle was accomplished through the intercession of the late Pope.

Saints' congregation reportedly acts on causes of JP II, John XXIII

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VATICAN CITY - The cardinals and archbishops who are members of the Congregation for Saints' Causes met July 2 and, according to Italian news reports, took steps to advance the sainthood causes of Blesseds John Paul II and John XXIII.

Fr. Fructuoso Garcia, who will leave Canada after 41 years on July 4, stands with pride in front of a large poster displaying the 2,000 phone numbers he’s memorized to gain publicity for his fundraising efforts that support churches in Latin America.

Ex-pat priest goes home

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TORONTO - After 41 years of celebrating Mass in the Greater Toronto Area, Fr. Fructuoso Garcia is getting ready to hang up his collar and return home to Spain.

100 days: Pope Francis off to invigorating start

100 days: Pope Francis off to invigorating start

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As we mark Pope Francis’ first 100 days in office, it would be impossible to argue that they have been anything other than successful. Some might say wildly successful.

Pope Francis arrives to lead the opening of the annual Rome diocesan convention at the Vatican June 17. The pope led the three-day gathering of priests, religious and laypeople who were meeting to set pastoral priorities for the coming year.

Pope calls for 'revolutionaries' to change hearts by sharing God's love

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VATICAN CITY - Christians are called to be revolutionaries, changing the world one heart at a time, Pope Francis said.

Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron walks with U.S. President Barack Obama at the Lough Erne golf resort, where the Group of Eight leaders are meeting in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, June 17.

Pope: Politics, economics must serve all people, protect poor, unborn

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VATICAN CITY - The goal of politics and economics is to serve all of humanity, starting with the poorest, the most vulnerable and the unborn, Pope Francis told British Prime Minister David Cameron, president of the Group of Eight industrialized nations.

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