Both Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa of Calcutta, shown here at the Vatican in 1997, are on the "fast track" to sainthood -- the Vatican sped up consideration of their "cause"
ROME — As John Paul II mania grips Rome ahead of Sunday's ceremony that will put the late pope on the path to sainthood, thousands of young devotees are flocking to the city to celebrate their hero.
"We were born during John Paul II's pontificate, attended his audiences and spent World Youth Days with him," said Massimo Manzolillo, a member of the Papa Boys Association, a fan club set up in 2005 after his death.
"He was our friend. A friend of ours is being beatified, it's an incredible, wonderful thing," he said. "I wouldn't miss this for the world."
Armed with sleeping bags, "blessed" John Paul II T-shirts and an irrepressible enthusiasm, up to 13,000 Papa Boys are making their way by the busload from across Italy to St. Peter's Square for the beatification.
Dismissing critics who have accused the Vatican of unjustly fast-tracking the process, the youngsters have no doubt their mentor merits sainthood and has more than the two miracles up his sleeve necessary to achieve it.
"We have hundreds of people calling us up and telling us about the pope's miracles," said Daniele Venturi, head of Italy's Papa Boys.
"I know of at least 700 children who have been named after John Paul II because they were miracle babies, born to mothers who couldn't conceive and whose prayers for help were then answered," he added.
Those arriving in Rome in time for a vigil on Saturday will be cramming into hostels near the Vatican or bunking for free in a youth camp set up by the city council a nearby seaside town.
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"We were born during John Paul II's pontificate, attended his audiences and spent World Youth Days with him," said Massimo Manzolillo, a member of the Papa Boys Association, a fan club set up in 2005 after his death.
"He was our friend. A friend of ours is being beatified, it's an incredible, wonderful thing," he said. "I wouldn't miss this for the world."
Armed with sleeping bags, "blessed" John Paul II T-shirts and an irrepressible enthusiasm, up to 13,000 Papa Boys are making their way by the busload from across Italy to St. Peter's Square for the beatification.
Dismissing critics who have accused the Vatican of unjustly fast-tracking the process, the youngsters have no doubt their mentor merits sainthood and has more than the two miracles up his sleeve necessary to achieve it.
"We have hundreds of people calling us up and telling us about the pope's miracles," said Daniele Venturi, head of Italy's Papa Boys.
"I know of at least 700 children who have been named after John Paul II because they were miracle babies, born to mothers who couldn't conceive and whose prayers for help were then answered," he added.
Those arriving in Rome in time for a vigil on Saturday will be cramming into hostels near the Vatican or bunking for free in a youth camp set up by the city council a nearby seaside town.
Read More
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gN_GOuA1srV24hYydec5-n_iaRxg?docId=CNG.e49d7072431b9d040ed45d20817b91e5.451
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