Rome is teeming with Catholic tourists this weekend, who have arrived to witness the beatification of the late Pope John Paul II. The beatification is the third of four steps of sainthood – and John Paul II is on the fast track. Pope Benedict XVI vowed to make his friend and mentor a saint and will celebrate the Beatification Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, sooner than any other blessed person before him. But the decision to rush beatify John Paul II has not been met without controversy.
Critics say the investigations of the Pope John Paul II knowledge of the child sexual abuse cases that have mired the church in the worst scandals in history are still ongoing – and wonder if history will view the charismatic man the same way. Joining us from the Vatican is John Allen, senior correspondent for National Catholic Reporter.
Also with us is Lisa Miller, author of “Heaven: Enduring Fascination with the Afterlife,” who has written extensively about the Catholic church for Newsweek.