Vatican City (AsiaNews) – The process of beatification of Pope John II will begin immediately. Benedict XVI has in fact waived the Canon rule that requires five years before the process begins.

The current Pope chose to give the news personally, reading before the Roman clergy that had gathered in the Basilica of St John Lateran the 'rescript' of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints that authorises the process to start.

Benedict XVI's address in Latin was welcomed by a long, standing ovation by the clergymen. The Pope and Cardinal Vicar Camillo Ruini also stood.

They were in some way acting on behalf of those thousands of people who on the morrow of Pope John Paul II's death chanted "Santo subito" (Saint, right away).

A 'right away' to which the Pope adhered to right away since the document announcing the process of canonisation says that he had already given the 'go ahead' to Cardinal Ruini (the process of beatification opens in the diocese where the death occurs) on April 28, just nine days after his ascension to the Throne of Peter.

Here is the translation of the Latin version of the 'rescript' of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints:

"Upon request by the most Eminent and Revered Lord Cardinal Camillo Ruini, Vicar General of His Holiness for the diocese of Rome, the Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI, in light of the special circumstances presented during the audience granted to the same Cardinal Vicar General on the 28th day of the month of April of this year 2005, has waived the five-year waiting period after the death of the Servant of God John Paul II (Karol Wojtyła), Supreme Pontiff, so that the cause of beatification and canonisation of the same Servant of God can start immediately; notwithstanding anything to the contrary.

Given in Rome from the See of this Congregation for the Causes of Saints, on the 9th day of month of May A.D. 2005

Edward Nowak, Titular Archbishop of Luni, Secretary

José Card. Saraiva Martins, Prefect".