A year after pope's death, people worldwide continue to show devotion

Published: 2006-03-23

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- From starting prayer groups to cheering at the mention of his name, people around the world continue to show their devotion to Pope John Paul II. A year after Pope John Paul's death, the Vatican still maintains a separate entrance to the grotto under St. Peter's Basilica where he is buried, and Pope Benedict XVI still cites his writings and example in his public speeches. While the cause for Pope John Paul's canonization continues with interviews of people in Rome and Poland who were close to him, Pope John Paul prayer groups are springing up around the world. Msgr. Slawomir Oder, the official promoter of the pope's sainthood cause, said the groups -- one in Argentina calls itself "Juan Pablo Magno" (John Paul the Great) -- not only support the cause with their prayers, but they study Pope John Paul's writings. Pope Benedict does not appear jealous of the attention; in fact, from the beginning of his pontificate he has urged the church to continue to study the teachings of his predecessor.

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