Vatican officials deny delay on beatification for John Paul II

June 04, 2009

Vatican officials have rejected media reports that the cause for beatification of Pope John Paul II has been stalled by concerns about the late Pontiff's correspondence with Dr. Wanda Poltawska. And Joaquin Navarro-Valls, the former spokesman for the Holy See, believes that the late Pope's beatification could still take place with the year.

Vatican officials indicated that the correspondence between the Polish Pope and his longtime friend Dr. Poltawska is voluminous, but is very unlikely to pose any significant obstacle to the beatification process. A more significant cause for delay could remain, however, if-- as reported by Italian Vatican-watchers-- Cardinals Angelo Sodano and Leonardo Sandri have not yet testified before the commission working on the cause of John Paul II.

 

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Further information:

• Pope saint move 'possible in 2009' (ANSA)
• Controversy erupts over letters between Pope John Paul, Wanda Poltawska (CWN, Jun 2)