Francis confirms beatification of 'smiling Pope' who warned against confusion of the faithful

The 20^th century was a great era for popes, with several recognised as saints. Pope Francis himself has canonised Pope St John XXIII, Pope St Paul VI and Pope St John Paul II and the cause of Venerable Pope Pius XII, who hid 477 Roman Jews from the Nazis in the Vatican and a further 3,000 in Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer residence, is also progressing well, as indeed it should.

On September 4th Pope John Paul I will be the latest to take a major step toward sainthood when he will be beatified by the Pope Francis in St Peter’s Basilica.