VATICAN - This evening in the cathedral of Rome, St John’s Basilica, solemn opening of the Cause for the beatification and canonisation of Pope John Paul II

Vatican City (Fides Service) - This evening at 7pm in the cathedral of Rome, St John’s Basilica, there will be the solemn opening of the Cause to investigate the life, virtues and fame of holiness of the Servant of God John Paul II, Pope Karol Wojtyla. After solemn sung 1st Vespers for tomorrow’s feast of St Peter and Paul patrons Saints of Rome presided by Cardinal Camillo Ruini, the Pope’s vicar for the diocese of Rome, Mgr. Slawomir Oder will exhibit in front of the Cardinal - Judge Ordinary of the Diocesan Tribunal - and other members of the Tribunal, his mandate as Postulator of the cause as well as the files of information collected. This will open the cause . The first act will be oaths taken in Latin by Cardinal Ruini followed by the Judge delegate, judge adjunct, the promoter of Justice and notaries. Then after presenting the list of people to be questioned, the Postulator will take the same oath and the session will close with indications regarding the next hearings, which will be private. At the end of the juridical act those present and the faithful of the diocese will be asked to pray «to implore the grace of the intercession of the Servant of God Pope John Paul II» according to a text approved by Cardinal Ruini which will be distributed this evening.
The Vicariate of Rome diocese continues to receive an average of 100 letters and e-mail messages with regard to graces obtained through the intercession of Pope John Paul II, at a special e-mail address Postulazione.GiovanniPaoloII@VicariatusUrbis.org., from all over the world in particular from Latin American countries and European countries especially Italy and Poland. The Vicariate has also an official web site for the beatification/canonisation in various languages: see www.BeatificazioneGiovanniPaoloII.org. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 28/6/2005, righe 25, parole 355)