Pope John Paul II and Gianna Beretta, patron saints of the World Meeting of Families




A Pope and a family woman. They're the saints chosen as the patrons of the 8th World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia.

The first is St. John Paul II, canonized on April 27, and the founder of these events.

FR. SLAWOMIR ODER
Postulator, Sainthood cause of John Paul II
"He himself said he wanted to be remember, if the Church ever remembered him... he wanted to be remembered as the Pope of life and of family. He promoted a revaluation of the family as the place where a person develops humanely, and grows spiritually.”

St. Gianna Beretta was a pediatrician and mother of four, who passed away in 1962. During her fourth pregnancy, doctors discovered a tumor in her uterus. She decided to delay surgery to remove it until after the birth of her child, but by then it was too late.

Beretta is considered the patron saint of pregnant women. John Paul II canonized her on May 16, 1994.

The 8th World Meeting of Families will take place from September 22-27, 2015. Although it's not yet confirmed, Pope Francis is widely expected to attend the last part of the gathering.
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