Blessed Pope John XXIII and Blessed Pope John Paul II will be raised to Sainthood by Pope Francis at a special ceremony in Rome on Sunday 27 April, the day on which the Church celebrates the Second Sunday of Easter and the Feast of Divine Mercy. Pope Francis has said “these were two wonderful men and a joint canonization will be a real message for the Church”.

To celebrate this special day, Dr Gerard McGinnity will lead the celebration of Divine Mercy in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh, beginning at 2.30pm. The afternoon programme includes reverencing and blessing of the image, the novena and chaplet, the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Benediction. The evening will conclude with a special Mass which will be celebrated by Archbishop Eamon Martin at 5.30pm.