VATICAN CITY — The joint canonization of Popes John Paul II and John XXIII on Sunday is a convergence of coincidences, personalities and legacies.

 

Not only is the elevation of two popes to sainthood at the same time unprecedented, but the men sitting in the audience will also represent a first for the Catholic Church; the ceremony will be attended by two popes. Pope Francis will lead the ceremony as the current head of the church, watched over by his predecessor, Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI. In another unique canonization twist, it was Pope John Paul II who put Pope John XXIII on the final step to sainthood when he beatified him in September 2000. Both men are exceptions to the often long and complex road to canonization.

 

In the case of John XXIII, his life itself was deemed holy enough to serve as a substitute for one of the two miracles usually required for sainthood. Unlike most other saints, John XXIII will reach the vaunted status with only one accredited miracle to his name. [Link]