'Great' title for John Paul?
{{Correction|date=May 3, 2011|explanation=The image caption in this article states two prior Popes have been titled "great" - but the article text states three popes have held this title. Three is the correct number. The three popes who held this title were [[w:Pope Leo I|Pope Leo I]], [[w:Pope Gregory I|Pope Gregory I]], and [[w:Pope Nicholas I|Pope Nicholas I]]. All three were later sainted.}}
{{date|April 6, 2005}}
 
If recent trends are to portend the future, late Roman Catholic pontiff [[John Paul II]] may be known to posterity as "John Paul the Great."

A growing portion of Catholics, and even senior clergy, have begun to use the title, which has been held previously by only three out of history's 264 popes.
[[File:JohannesPaulII.jpg|140px|thumb|right|"John Paul the Great"? Only two of history's 264 popes have, to date, been accorded the title]]

[[w:Pope Gregory I|Pope Gregory I]] of the sixth century, {{w|Pope Leo I|Leo I}} of the fifth century, and {{w|Pope Nicholas I|Nicholas I}} of the ninth century up to now, have alone been acclaimed "Great" in church tradition.

{{w|Cardinal Egan}} of New York, Cardinal O'Brien of Edinburgh (Scotland), Dublin's Archbishop Martin, and {{w|Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor}} of Westminster &mdash; the highest Catholic clergyman in England and Wales &mdash; have been among those reported to have used the honorific for John Paul II.

Historian Robert Louis Wilken, writing in Catholic periodical ''[http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/ Commonweal]'' in 2003, "Greatness is as mysterious as it is elusive," alluding to the ambiguity of the criteria used in applying the title. 

For instance, some figures &mdash; such as theologian {{w|St. Thomas Aquinas}} or the apostle {{w|Saint Peter|Peter}}, the first pope &mdash; despite their wide influence in church history, have not been granted the honorific by historians or Catholic tradition, while others relatively unknown today were indeed accorded it. 

Newspapers in Italy, the United States, and throughout the globe have featured the acclamation "Great" for the deceased pontiff. Catholic-oriented websites and online forums, as well, abound with the title.

The {{w|Holy See}}'s official paper, ''[[w:Osservatore Romano|L’Osservatore Romano]]'', also echoed the "Great" appellation. 

Moreover, a Vatican homily text for Sunday, 3 April, contained a reference to the title. Though the honorific was ultimately not used during the homily's delivery by Cardinal {{w|Angelo Sodano}}, {{w|Cardinal Secretary of State}} until John Paul II's death, it is maintained that Vatican documents can be considered official even when not read aloud.

{{haveyoursay}}
== Related news ==
*{{wikinews|title=Miles-long queue to view Pope John Paul one last time|date=April 5, 2005}}
*{{wikinews|title=Funeral of Pope John Paul II will be Friday 8 April at 10.00|date=April 4, 2005}}
*{{wikinews|title=Royal wedding delayed as Prince plans for Pope's funeral|date=April 4, 2005}}
*{{wikinews|title=Pope John Paul II dies|date=April 2, 2005}}

== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7384207/
 |title=Faithful hold key to ‘Great’ honor:  Movement builds to call late pontiff Pope John Paul the Great
 |author=
 |pub=AP
 |date=April 4, 2005}}
*{{source|url=http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/article.php?id_article=787
 |title=A Measure of Greatness
 |author=Robert Louis Wilken
 |pub=Commonweal
 |date=October 10, 2003}}	

== External links ==
* http://www.vatican.va/ The Holy See
* [[w:pope|Popes]]:  [[Wikipedia]] article
* [http://www.popetributes.com Internet Tributes to John Paul II]

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[[Category:Pope John Paul II]]	
[[Category:Rome]]
[[Category:Italy]]
[[Category:Europe]]
[[Category:Religion]]
[[Category:Christianity]]
[[Category:Roman Catholic Church]]

[[pt:João Paulo II, o Grande]]
If recent trends are to portend the future, late Roman Catholic pontiff John Paul II may be known to posterity as "John Paul the Great."

A growing portion of Catholics, and even senior clergy, have begun to use the title, which has been held previously by only three out of history's 264 popes.
"John Paul the Great"? Only two of history's 264 popes have, to date, been accorded the title

Pope Gregory I of the sixth century, Leo I of the fifth century, and Nicholas I of the ninth century up to now, have alone been acclaimed "Great" in church tradition.

Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor of Westminster — the highest Catholic clergyman in England and Wales — have been among those reported to have used the honorific for John Paul II.

Historian Robert Louis Wilken, writing in Catholic periodical  Commonweal in 2003, "Greatness is as mysterious as it is elusive," alluding to the ambiguity of the criteria used in applying the title. 

For instance, some figures — such as theologian Saint Peter|Peter, the first pope — despite their wide influence in church history, have not been granted the honorific by historians or Catholic tradition, while others relatively unknown today were indeed accorded it. 

Newspapers in Italy, the United States, and throughout the globe have featured the acclamation "Great" for the deceased pontiff. Catholic-oriented websites and online forums, as well, abound with the title.

The 's official paper, L’Osservatore Romano, also echoed the "Great" appellation. 

Moreover, a Vatican homily text for Sunday, 3 April, contained a reference to the title. Though the honorific was ultimately not used during the homily's delivery by Cardinal Cardinal Secretary of State until John Paul II's death, it is maintained that Vatican documents can be considered official even when not read aloud.

João Paulo II, o Grande
Pope John Paul II Rome Italy Europe Religion Christianity Roman Catholic Church