Pope John Paul II’s blood goes on tour
Relic will help 'recall for many Catholics his saintly life'
Support truly
independent journalism
Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.
Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.
Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.
Louise Thomas
Editor
It’s not your average attraction: a vial containing the blood of the late Pope John Paul II is going on tour across America’s east coast.
Beginning in Boston, the first American city where Pope John Paul II said Mass in 1979, the relic will also be on display to worshipers in New York and Philadelphia, before ending up in Baltimore. The golden relic is normally housed at the Saint John Paul II shrine in Washington DC. It has a glass vial containing the Pope’s blood at its centre and is surrounded by a cloud-like shape with 12 red stones, which represent Jesus’s 12 apostles.
Catholicism views relics as holy objects. They come in three different classes: a first-class relic is something from the body of a saint, such as the vial of John Paul II’s blood, a second-class relic is something used by a saint and a third-class relic is something touched by a first-class relic. Several other relics containing the blood of Pope John Paul II - now known as Saint John Paul II - are on display across the world, with one stolen and quickly recovered by police in Italy earlier this year.[1]
Born in Poland, John Paul II was the third-longest serving pope in history, heading up the Catholic church from 1978 until his death in 2005. During that time he visited more than 120 countries, once saying the Pope should not remain “a prisoner of the Vatican”.
Supreme Knight Carl Anderson, of the Knights of Columbus, said in a statement bringing John Paul II’s blood to communities in America would help “recall for many Catholics his saintly life”.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments