Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington, today concelebrated a Mass with Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City where Pope John XXIII and John Paul II were named new saints of the Catholic Church.

In reflecting on today’s canonization, Cardinal Wuerl said, “Today the Church canonized two holy men of our age, Saint John XXIII and Saint John Paul II. Each gave profound witness to the Gospel, and this moment of grace provides an opportunity to express our appreciation for their lives, love and guidance. 

“Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, who took the name John XXIII as Pope, was truly a pastor of souls, observing that the answer to the many problems mankind faces today is the firm foundation of God. ‘Good Pope John’ was an almost preternaturally cheerful man whose warmth radiated from many photographs on magazine covers. While he is primarily remembered for his prophetic calling of the Second Vatican Council, he should also be remembered for his work toward peace and fraternity with separated eastern Christians and his efforts to save Jewish refugees from Nazi persecution. 

“Through the Second Vatican Council, Pope John XXIII called upon us to present faithfully and in its entirety the teaching of the Church but in a way that would attract people to the beauty of the teaching. He had a background in diplomatic service to the Church where he put into practice the idea of working with people, collaborating with people and listening to people. When he was elected pope, it seemed natural for him to say that we need to listen to the Church throughout the world to see how best we can carry on her work.

“The Second Vatican Council can be seen as the impetus for the New Evangelization championed by Pope John Paul II and his successors. That effort to proclaim Jesus’ Gospel anew in today’s world began in a special way more than 50 years ago with Saint John XXIII’s opening of the Council.

“When the Polish-born Karol Wojtyla first appeared on the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica as the new Pope John Paul II, most people did not know him, but in his more than 26 years as pope, people felt they knew him