Canonisation Mass of Pope St. John Paul II

John Paul II and John XXIII were canonized on April 27, 2014.

Pope John Paul II holds a special place in the hearts of the Timorese. It was his 1989 visit to East Timor that brought their struggle for independence into the limelight. The world media’s attention provided the catalyst needed for independence activists to harness global support for their cause.

So dear was Pope John Paul II to Timor that the newly independent nation declared three days of national mourning upon his death in 2005.

"They were priests, bishops and popes of the 20th century. They lived through the tragic events of that century, but they were not overwhelmed by them. For them, God was more powerful." – Pope Francis (homily during the Canonization Mass in St. Peter's Square, April 27, 2014).