WASHINGTON (DC)
NPR
November 25, 2020
By Sylvia Poggioli
When St. John Paul II died in 2005 after nearly 27 years on the papal throne, his funeral drew millions to St. Peter’s Square. The crowd soon broke out into spontaneous chants of “Santo subito” — “make him a saint immediately.”
Days later, John Paul was put on the fast track, becoming a saint a record nine years after his death.
Now, many Catholics wonder whether that was too hasty. A recent report issued by the Vatican is casting a dark cloud over John Paul.
The report is the result of an investigation into Catholic leaders’ failings in allowing now-disgraced former American Cardinal Theodore McCarrick to rise up the church hierarchy. Its explosive revelations have started to tarnish the legacy of the Polish-born pope and globetrotting media star who is credited with triggering the fall of communism in Europe.
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