John Paul II beatification draws 1.5m

Pope John Paul II came one step closer to Sainthood this past weekend when Pope Benedict XVI beatified him, declaring him "blessed" in a mass celebrated at the Vatican on May 1, 2011.  According to the New Catholic Encyclopedia, a beatification is "required before the nonmartyr can be declared a saint by canonization. When the pope declares someone "blessed," conferring that title on a venerable servant of God, he declares that for the pastoral good of the Church this person is worthy of emulation and can enjoy a public cult of praise within the confines of a particular diocese, region or religious family."

The library collection houses 65 books and 3 films with John Paul as the subject and over 60 titles he authored.  See the full listing here.