The beatification of Pope John Paul II is by now imminent and together with the whole Church we feel enveloped by an immense joy and profound gratitude. Joy and gratitude for the gift She is giving to us in recognizing the holiness of this great Pope, expressed in his well-spent and consumed life, up to the last moment, for God and for us human beings.

The extraordinary richness of his teachings continues to amaze, as well as his witness of love which has aroused gratitude worldwide both in Christians and faithful of other religions, and in people with no religious faith.

Read more on the international Focolare website...

See also: Living City article

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On this occasion, New City Press has completed a new book called Believe in Love: The Life, Ministry and Teachings of John Paul II- by Brendan Leahy

Believe in Love paints the rich landscape of John Paul II's formative theological and philosophical influences as well as his personal reflections.  Wonderfully accessible language and short chapters provide JPII's thoughts on the Theology of the Body, suffering, modern culture, families, war and peace, artists, politics, economics, work, forgiveness, and the elderly.

Believe in Love, available at New City Press