April 2 has legally been established in Canada as Pope John Paul II’s Day. The day was chosen to coincide with the anniversary of the Pope’s death.

The law, C-266, was given a third reading by the Canadian Senate on December 16, 2014.

This particular day will be celebrated for the first time this year, on the 10th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s death.

The law speaks of the Polish pope as a figure known to have had a big impact on the history of the Catholic Church and the world, playing a crucial part in promoting solidarity and peace among nations. It says: “The Pope loved the young and had an active role in setting up the World Day of Youth to inspire the young and encourage them to live according to the teaching of Christ.”

It recalls the visits of Pope Wojtyla in Canada in 1984, 1987 and 2002 as well as his other apostolic trips and his contribution in “putting an end to communism in Eastern Europe”.

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