Catholics around the Archdiocese of Chicago came out to celebrate the canonizations of Popes John XXIII and John Paul II on April 27, but for many, it was the latter pontiff who was the focus of the celebrations.
Ryan Diaz prays before a relic of St. John Paul II (a drop of his blood) at Five Holy Martyrs Parish, 4301 S. Richmond St., on April 27. The parish hosted a live transmission of the canonization Mass the night before along with several other activities to celebrate the canonizations of John Paul II and John XXIII. Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass at the parish on Oct. 5, 1979 . Several notable remnants of that Mass including the papal chair, processional cross and the altar still remain on the church grounds.
Photo: Karen Callaway / Catholic New World