A traditional Polish color guard parades a statue of Pope John Paul II among parishioners at Five Holy Martyrs following a Mass in thanksgiving for the beatification John Paul II May 1. Parishes in the Archdiocese of Chicago celebrated the Polish pontiffs elevation to blessed along with the beatification Mass by Pope Benedict XVI in Rome. Here are some photos from Chicago-area Catholics marking the momentous event.
Ivan Sioson and Janelle Rodrigo from Manila, Philippines, watch the beatification live on the Channel 2 jumbo screen near Daley Plaza on May 1. The couple gathered with a group of Catholics keeping vigil in the plaza near an image of Jesus as the Divine Mercy. The image was on display in the plaza from April 22-May 1.
Photo: Karen Callaway / Catholic New World