WELL DESERVED – AT 10:48 A.M. ET:  The late Pope John Paul II moved a step closer to sainthood today in a moving Vatican ceremony:

VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI beatified Pope John Paul II before 1.5 million faithful in St. Peter’s Square and surrounding streets Sunday, moving the beloved former pontiff one step closer to possible sainthood in one of the largest turnouts ever for a Vatican Mass.

The crowd in Rome and in capitals around the world erupted in cheers, tears and applause as an enormous photo of a young, smiling John Paul was unveiled over the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica and a choir launched into hymn long associated with the Polish-born pope.

“He restored to Christianity its true face as a religion of hope,” Benedict said in his homily, referring to John Paul’s decisive role in helping bring down communism. Benedict dotted his remarks with personal recollections of a man he came to “revere” during their near-quarter century working together.

Beatification is the first major milestone on the path to possible sainthood, one of the Catholic Church’s highest honors. A second miracle attributed to John Paul’s intercession is needed for him to be canonized.

COMMENT:  I am not an expert on the Catholic religion, and would never attempt to make religious judgments.  However, if ever there was a man who deserved honor it is John Paul II.  He was one of that great triumvirate, along with Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher, who brought Communism to its knees in Europe. 

Isn't it interesting, though, that John Paul II was never awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the dramatic impact he had.  Neither, of course, was Ronald Reagan or Prime Minister Thatcher.   The fraudulent Norwegian leftists wouldn't have it.  Instead they awarded their "peace" prize to Mikhail Gorbachev, certified Marxist, whose only contribution was realizing that his country was cooked.  The prize, of course, has also gone to Jimmy Carter, Al Gore, and, after three days in office, Barack Obama.

The Vatican ceremony is vastly more important than the Nobel Peace Prize, which should be placed in retirement.  It is a fake and an obscenity, a joke on humankind by minor-league European politicians with a cultural death wish.

We recall John Paul II today.  And Ronald Reagan.  And Lady Thatcher, who is still with us.  Their great prize is their legacy, far greater than a plaque and a check.

May 1, 2011