Confessor of St Faustina to be beatified

After praying the Angelus yesterday, Pope Benedict announced the forthcoming beatification of Servant of God Michael Sopocko, "confessor and spiritual father of St Faustina Kowalska."

The Holy Father said: "At his suggestion, the saint described her mystical experiences and the apparitions of Merciful Jesus in her famous 'Diary'. Thanks also to his efforts, the image of 'Jesus, in You I trust' was painted and made known throughout the world".

Fr Sopocko was "a zealous pastor, educator and propagator of the cult of Divine Mercy", said the Pope, going on to note that "in the house of the Father my beloved predecessor John Paul II will joy at his beatification. He it was who entrusted the world to Divine Mercy and hence I repeat his words: 'May God rich in Mercy bless you all!'"

Source: VIS