Since 1900 there have been 12 popes, and 4 of them have been canonized, one beatified and one declared venerable. Probably more remarkable is that out of the last 7 popes, 5 of them are on (or have already completed) the track to beatification or canonization.
With this in mind, some have wondered if Pope Benedict XVI will be included in that number. Many regarded him as a holy man during his life and his writings continue to inspire Catholics around the world.
His former secretary, Archbishop Georg Gänswein, commented in December in an interview with the German television channel K-TV how, "Personally, I have great hopes that this process will be opened."
Then in January, Archbishop Gänswein revealed in an interview with the Catholic magazine Kelionė that, "And now, when Pope Benedict XVI has departed to be with the Lord, I notice that I do not pray so much for him, but to him, asking for his help."
The secretary-archbishop is not the only one who has turned to Pope Benedict XVI for intercession; shortly after his death Brazilian bishop Dom Antônio Carlos Rossi Keller of the Diocese of Frederico Westphalen authorized a private prayer to seek the intercession of the deceased pontiff.
Perhaps among the faithful all over the world who loved him and were convinced of his holiness, there are many who ask his intercession privately.
Five-year waiting period
Even though many have expressed interest in opening the cause for his beatification and canonization, the Catholic Church normally has a five-year waiting period after an individual has passed away.
This means that the Catholic Church cannot (under normal circumstances) open a cause for Pope Benedict XVI until 2027, since his death occurred on December 31, 2022.
The currently reigning pope can dispense this waiting period, such as in the case of St. John Paul II. In fact, it was Pope Benedict XVI who dispensed the waiting period for his predecessor.
At the time of John Paul II's death, St. Peter's Plaza was full of signs and people chanting, asking that his sainthood be recognized immediately: "Santo subito."
Since we are only a year away from 2027, it is likely that Pope Leo XIV will not make any dispensation at this point. If a cause is opened, it could happen as soon as next year, but there are no promises, as it could take many more years before any movement is initiated.
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