Rome, world prepare for beatification of Pope John Paul II

Submitted on April 27, 2011

By John Thavis | Catholic News Service

Danilo Vitillo worked with a wax mold used to make a bronze statue of Pope John Paul II at Domus Dei artisan workshop in Albano Laziale, south of Rome, April 7. The workshop is making several large statues of the Polish pope for Italian squares as his May 1 beatification nears. Domus Dei, owned by the Sister Disciples of the Divine Master, makes liturgical items and sacred art.

Paul Harring/Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — As the countdown continued for the beatification of Pope John Paul II, Church and civil authorities put the finishing touches on logistical plans to handle potentially massive crowds at the main events in Rome. Meanwhile, Vatican officials were heartened at the massive response to online projects designed to make the beatification a universal experience.