Blessed Popes John XXIII and John Paul II will be canonized on April 27th 2014, Divine Mercy Sunday, the Vatican confirmed this morning.
The news was announced in the following statement:
"CONSISTORY TO VOTE ON THE CAUSES OF CANONIZATION OF BLESSEDS JOHN XXIII AND JOHN PAUL II
This morning, at 10 o'clock in the Consistory Hall of the Vatican Apostolic Palace, during the celebration of mid-morning prayer, the Holy Father Francis held the Ordinary Public Consistory for the Canonization of Blesseds:
- John XXIII, Pope
- John Paul II, Pope.
During the Consistory, the Pope decreed that the Blesseds John XXIII and John Paul II will be enrolled among the saints April 27, 2014, the Second Sunday of Easter, of the Divine Mercy."
The news was widely expected. The Register was among the first to report the high probability of Divine Mercy Sunday as the chosen date when Pope Francis revealed it in a conversation earlier this month. Although cardinals and bishops vote on the canonization, the date is the Pope's alone to make in accordance with his calendar and schedule.
Vatican and Rome authorities will now set to work, preparing for what is expected to be an enormous number of pilgrims from all over the world.