Pope John Paul II relic to be presented at beatification rites

Pope John Paul II Relic During Beatification

Pope John Paul II's blood has been preserved as a relic by the Vatican and will be presented to pilgrims during the beatification rites of the late pontiff on May 1, church officials announced on Tuesday.

Following a long struggle with Parkinson's disease, Pope John Paul II died in 2005 after 27 years as head of the Roman Catholic Church, the biggest Christian church in the world in terms of followers.

The blood, contained in four vials and drawn at the hospital in the last days of the late pope's life, will be stored in a reliquary by the Office of Papal Liturgical Celebrations.

During the rites, the relic will be carried by French nun Marie Simon-Pierre whose miraculous recovery from Parkinson's disease was attributed to the intercession of Pope John Paul II.

Vatican officials estimate some 400,000 pilgrims will attend the beatification mass and ceremony led by Pope Benedict XVI at Saint Peter's Basilica. Giant screens have been placed around Rome and the rites will be broadcast around the world.

Beatification is one step short of full sainthood but many in Pope John Paul II's home country Poland already considers him a saint. A sash worn by the late vicar during an assassination attempt in 1981 is venerated as a relic by many Poles.

One year before he died, Pope John Paul II gave officials permission to publicly display the sash.

Pope John Paul II is remembered as one of the most beloved popes in history and one of the most influential leaders who ever lived.

Posted by James Fried on Thursday April 28 2011, 6:03 AM EST. Ref: AFP. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News, World. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0