Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Is bin Laden’s Death Pope’s 2nd Miracle?

John Paul II should get credit for the killing, Peruvian leader says

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted May 3, 2011 4:04 AM CDT

(Newser) – Pope John Paul II was beatified the same day special forces took out Osama bin Laden, and the president of Peru thinks it's no coincidence. Alan Garcia says the killing of bin Laden is the second miracle that the late pope needs to qualify for sainthood, CNN reports. The pontiff, mere hours after Vatican authorities determined he was one miracle away from becoming a saint, guided American forces "to remove from the Earth this demonic incarnation of crime, evil and hatred," Garcia says. "And I think that’s great news that should please Mr. Obama."

Peruvian President Alan Garcia believes Pope John Paul II deserves the credit for the killing of Osama bin Laden. (Getty Images)

Catholic priests are given framed images of the late Pope John Paul II during an open-air Mass commemorating his beatification. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

CLICK BELOW TO VOTE

23%

14%

57%

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

John Paul Deserves His Sainthood

He worked a political miracle against communism: Peggy Noonan

(NEWSER) - John Paul II continues his speedy path to sainthood this weekend, and Peggy Noonan thinks it's well-deserved. You want miracles? How about the political one he pulled off with his 1979 visit to his native Poland. It was simultaneously one of the "greatest moments in the history of faith" and "one of the greatest moments in modern political history," writes Noonan in the Wall Street Journal . Millions turned out in the supposedly atheist state to see him, a fact that government-run TV unwisely tried to ignore. More»

Pope John Paul’s Body Exhumed for Beatification

Rome in throes of 'beatification fever'

(NEWSER) - Move over, wedding fever: “Beatification fever” has begun. Tens of thousands are arriving in Rome for the beatification of Pope John Paul II , for which the pontiff’s coffin was exhumed today. As Vatican officials—including John Paul’s closest aide, Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz—watched and prayed, the coffin was lifted from the crypts under St. Peter’s Basilica, Reuters reports. It will rest in front of the Basilica’s main altar. More»

John Paul Is No Saint

Remember that whole pedophilia scandal he ignored?

(NEWSER) - On this Easter, Maureen Dowd turns to another resurrection of sorts next Sunday: The beatification of Pope John Paul II, or "PR boost" that Pope Benedict hopes to get from the "swiftest ascension toward sainthood on record." And while there was much to love about the "skiing cardinal, mountain-climbing poet, kayaking philosopher, (and) singing author," the "indelible stain" of the sex abuse scandal that John Paul presided over makes next week's ceremony a charade. "How can you be a saint if you fail to protect innocent children?" Dowd wonders in the New York Times. More»

Pope's Coffin Will Be Exhumed for Beatification

Faithful will be able to pray before it at John Paul's May ceremony

(NEWSER) - The coffin of John Paul II will be exhumed for his beatification ceremony in May, reports Reuters . It will remain closed, but the faithful will be able to pray before it at the Vatican. About a million people are expected at the ceremony—which will bring John Paul one step closer to sainthood—and the Vatican is warning its flock in the meantime to watch out for online scam artists selling tickets. The event is free, and none are needed. John Paul was fast-tracked for beatification last month. More»

John Paul II to Be Beatified in May

Pope Benedict certifies miracle healing

(NEWSER) - Pope John Paul II will be beatified May 1, the Vatican announced today. The news follows Pope Benedict's determination that his predecessor performed a miracle when a nun was cured of Parkinson’s disease after praying to him, the Los Angeles Times reports. It’s been a speedy road toward sainthood for the late pope; Benedict opened the process weeks after his predecessor died nearly six years ago. A second verified miracle is required before he can be canonized; click to see the entire process of becoming a saint. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Is bin Laden’s Death Pope’s 2nd Miracle?

John Paul II should get credit for the killing, Peruvian leader says

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Osama bin Laden • Alan Garcia • Pope John Paul II • beatification • sainthood • miracles • Osama bin Laden dead

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

John Paul Deserves His Sainthood

He worked a political miracle against communism: Peggy Noonan

Pope John Paul’s Body Exhumed for Beatification

Rome in throes of 'beatification fever'

John Paul Is No Saint

Remember that whole pedophilia scandal he ignored?

Pope's Coffin Will Be Exhumed for Beatification

Faithful will be able to pray before it at John Paul's May ceremony

John Paul II to Be Beatified in May

Pope Benedict certifies miracle healing

About Us

Site

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?