This Monday, Sept 30, Pope Francis revealed the date when the Vatican will declare Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII as saints. The two popes will be declared saints on April 27, 2014.
According to Reuters, Pope John Paul II, the Polish Pope that led the Catholic Church for 27 years and witnesses the fall of communism, and Pope John XXIII, who summoned the Second Vatican Council, will be declared saints by the Catholic Church after the miracles attributed to the late religious leaders were approved by the Vatican.
The Vatican also approved the sainthood for Pope John XXIII, known for promoting modernizing reforms for the Church during his time as head of the Vatican from 1958 to 1963.
ABC points out that on April 27 in Saint Peter's Square, John Paul "the Great" and John XXIII the "Good Pope" will be acknowledged as two exceptional figures in the history of the Catholic Church Their sainthood will be celebrated not only in Rome but also all throughout the Catholic world.
"Karol Wojtyla (1920-2005) will become a saint 9 years after his death - which is a real record - thanks to the waiver of the 5 years of waiting before starting the process," ABC details. During the first months of Pope Francis' leadership, "John XXIII (1881-1963), has been excused from the requirement of a second miracle" which is why the ceremony will be shared and both popes will be declared saints on the same day, the site added.