Vatican City

Letter from Rome: Canonizing popes and demythologizing the papacy

Every pope who has led the Church since the time of the Second Vatican Council will have his own feast day

Pope Francis salutes the audience during his Angelus prayer from a window of the apostolic palace overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on June 26. (Photo: AFP)

By Robert Carl Mickens

Published: June 27, 2022 05:47 AM GMT

Updated: June 27, 2022 05:48 AM GMT

Pope Francis has probably done more than any Roman pontiff in modern history to reform and demythologize the imperial papacy.

And yet the paradox is that no one has ever canonized so many dead popes. In less than 10 years in office, Francis has declared three of them saints — John XXIII, Paul VI and John Paul II. And soon he will make John Paul I, the pope who reigned for only 33 days, a "blessed".

After the Sept. 4 beatification ceremony, which has just been confirmed, every pope who has led the Church since the time of the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) will have his own feast day on the liturgical calendar.

The only exceptions, of course, are the two who are still alive — Benedict XVI and Francis.

Click here to read the full article

Help UCA News to be independent

Dear reader,

November begins with the Feast of All Saints. That month will mark the beginning of a new UCA News series, Saints of the New Millenium, that will profile some of Asia’s saints, “ordinary” people who try to live faithfully amid the demands of life in our time.

Perhaps the closest they will ever come to fame will be in your reading about them in UCA News. But they are saints for today. Let their example challenge and encourage you to live your own sainthood.

Your contribution will help us present more such features and make a difference in society by being independent and objective.

A small donation of US$5 a month would make a big difference in our quest to achieve our goals.