Ohioans celebrate beatification of John Paul II

CLEVELAND (AP) — Polish-American Catholics in Ohio are rejoicing over the late Pope John Paul II, who moved a step closer to sainthood on Sunday.

In Rome, Pope Benedict pronounced his Polish-born predecessor “Blessed.” At about the same time, a new icon of John Paul with a halo was unveiled at St. Stanislaus in Cleveland.

That church was founded by Polish immigrants. Michele Meier had attended St. Stanislaus as a child and told WJW-TV she brought her own children there from the suburbs on Sunday to feel closer to Pope John Paul.

More than 100 people gathered at a Polish parish in Dayton for a special celebration of the pontiff, who died in 2005. The Dayton Daily News reports the altar of St. Adalbert was decorated with 10 photos of John Paul.