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John Paul II beatification open to all

A cast of the hand of Pope John Paul II is on display as final preparations are made for the opening of "Vatican Splendors," at the Missouri History Museum in St. Louis on May 14, 2010.The hand is just one piece of the 200 rare works of art and historically significant objects from the Vatican. St. Louis is one of only three U.S. cities to host this display which begins on May 15. UPI/Bill Greenblatt
A cast of the hand of Pope John Paul II is on display as final preparations are made for the opening of "Vatican Splendors," at the Missouri History Museum in St. Louis on May 14, 2010.The hand is just one piece of the 200 rare works of art and historically significant objects from the Vatican. St. Louis is one of only three U.S. cities to host this display which begins on May 15. UPI/Bill Greenblatt | License Photo

VATICAN CITY, Jan. 19 (UPI) -- The Vatican said Wednesday the May 1 beatification ceremony for Pope Paul II in St. Peter's Square will be "open to all the faithful."

ANSA reported the Vatican announced the accommodation after being inundated with requests for invitations to the event, which is expected to draw the largest crowds to Rome since the death of the Polish pope April 2, 2005.

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Pope Benedict XVI sanctioned his predecessor's beatification after a Vatican commission, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, approved a miracle attributed to him.

The commission unanimously confirmed a French nun, Sister Simon-Pierre, was cured -- miraculously -- of Parkinson's disease through the intervention of Pope Paul II.

ANSA said Polish newspapers reported in March 2010 the nun did not suffer from Parkinson's but a similar, non-terminal illness.

The Church requires one miracle for beatification and two for sainthood.

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