17th Anniversary of the Death of Saint John Paul II
This day made us all change
On April 2, 2005, sad news circulated around the world. On the Vigil of Divine Mercy Feast, at 9:37PM John Paul II, the pope at the turn of the second and third millennium, known as the great one, died. A pilgrim Pope, concerned for peace and freedom, a defender of life, who himself experienced an attempt on his life went to the Father's house.
"We've all changed"
Because of his death, we all changed. We have gotten a little better. For some time, we were also united, kinder to each other, as well as connected in pain, sadness and in gratitude. The sadness that accompanied all of us showed gratitude for what the Pope had done for every human being and all humanity.
"The world has stopped"
In fact, it can be said that 17 years ago the world stopped because someone who was the hero of the collective imagination and one of the greatest authorities in the world, the spiritual leader of humanity, passed away. He was a man who changed the world, the Church, and many people. His death released in the world a lot of love, goodness and gratitude, regardless of faith, skin color, beliefs, because in this way everyone repaid the Pope for what he had given them for nearly 27 years of his pontificate.
Beatification and canonization
The beatification process of John Paul II began a month after his funeral, with many banners demanding "santo subito" (Italian: "saint immediately"). The beatification process lasted five and a half years and was one of the shortest in history. It was completed on May 1, 2011, recognizing John Paul II as Blessed.
For John Paul II to be recognized as a Saint of the Catholic Church, which is related to the recognition of his person worthy of public honoring in the Church around the world. The canonization process was needed. This was completed on April 27, 2014. On that day, Pope Francis in St. Peter Square declared Saints two popes: John Paul II and John XXIII.
Saint John Paul II, pray for us