When the Blessed Pope Paul VI died in 1978, the famous former columnist of The Times (UK), Peter Nichols (an expert Vaticanologist who was denied entrance into Malta to address a local big political meeting at the then Empire Stadium in Gżira), had written: “For the Catholic Church and its followers, Paul VI is like a big mountain... one does not go right under it to appreciate the fullness of its beauty and grandeur... one does it from a distance. And, like Leo XIII and St Gregory, the Church will come to appreciate the greatness of Paul VI after yet many years.”

How true and prophetic. No “Santo subito” for him and, after 36 years, he is now Blessed on the Church’s altars.

I now suspect that, as the final lap towards full sainthood is embarked upon, the world will be reading and studying much more about his writings, his papal and pre-papal life as well as about his profound teachings.

I am sure this will be the case with every true Catholic... but will the media play ball?

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