Popes John Paul II and John XXIII to be made saints on April 27
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Popes John Paul II and John XXIII will be declared saints on April 27, 2014.
Pope Francis announced the date Monday during a meeting with cardinals inside the Apostolic Palace.
Francis had announced in July he would canonize two of the 20th century's most influential popes together, approving a miracle attributed to John Paul's intercession and bending Vatican rules by deciding that John XXIII didn't need one.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Analysts have said the decision to canonize them together was aimed at unifying the church since each has his own admirers and critics. Francis is clearly a fan of both: On the anniversary of John Paul's death this year, Francis prayed at the tombs of both men — an indication that he sees a great personal and spiritual continuity in them.