"The announcement of the forthcoming canonization of John Paul II and John XXIII fills with joy the faithful from all over the world, who love and venerate these two protagonists of the Second Vatican Council and of the life of the contemporary Church. With the courageous proclamation of the Council, Pope Roncalli inaugurated a new springtime of the Church; in turn, Pope Wojtyla made the Council's message present worldwide. Both are shining examples of the power of the Gospel to thehumanity of the third millennium. The Community of Sant'Egidio, which draws its lifeblood from the Councilspirituality and was enriched by John Paul II’s friendship, shares with gratitude the Church's joy at the decision of Pope Francis, announced on the day of the publication of his first Encyclical"

Statement by Marco Impagliazzo, President of the Community of Sant'Egidio