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.
Pilgrims from Chicago in Rome for John Paul II's beatification watch the Mass on their cell phones because they were far away from screens in the streets near St. Peter's square broadcasting the service. More than 1 million people attended the May 1 beatification.
Photo: Alicja Pozywio / Catholic New World