May 1, 2011. (Romereports.com) Six years and one month after his death, John Paul II is now a blessed. In a packed St. Peter's Square, thousands celebrated the beatification of one the most beloved pope's in the history of the Church. From nearby streets, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims watched the ceremony from large screens.


To prepare for the Mass, the Litany of Divine Mercy was prayed. It's a prayer, similar to the rosary, that was introduced by Faustina Kowalska, a saint who was canonized by John Paul II.

The most exciting moment was the rite of beatification. The postulator Slawomir Oder and the vicar general of the diocese of Rome, Agostino Vallini approached the Pope and called for the beatification of John Paul II.  

Benedict XVI
"We welcome the wish of our brother Agostino Vallini Cardinale, our vicar general for the diocese of Rome. We also honor the call of many of our brothers  and the many faithful. With the blessing of  the Congregation for the Causes of Saints and with our Apostolic authority, we concede that the Venerable Servant of God,
 John Paul II, pope, be called a blessed. With celebrations to be held  in sites under rules established by law, each year on October 22. "

Moments later, the image of John Paul II was uncovered. They were moments of great devotion and inexplicable excitement. And so, the call to make him a "Santo Subito"came to be.

Sister Marie Simon Pierre, the French nun cured of Parkinson's through his intercession and Sister Tobiana, the Polish nun who cared for John Paul II until his death, presented a relic with the blood of John Paul II to Pope Benedict XVI.

After the ceremony a new anthem in honor of John Paul II was sung. Then the pope and the cardinals prayed before the body of the new Blessed.

Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims who  flocked to Rome for the ceremony, may venerate John Paul II's remains in the basilica. It will remain open until the last visitor goes through its doors.

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