Blessed Pope John Paul II pray for us

At a ceremony which began at 10am this morning Italian time (9am GMT) the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI declared that Pope John Paul was henceforth to be called "Blessed" and that his feast day would celebrated each year in certain places on 22 October.

At the Vatican website page dedicated to the beatification, you can download a copy of the Booklet for the celebration and view a slideshow Tribute to Pope John Paul II, as well as follow other useful links. The Holy See Press Office also has a brief Biography of the new Blessed.

Here is the new Collect that will be used in the Sacred Liturgy for the feast of Blessed Pope John Paul II, and at votive offices and Masses:

O God, who are rich in mercy and who willed that the blessed John Paul the Second should preside as Pope over your universal Church, grant, we pray, that instructed by his teaching, we may open our hearts to the saving grace of Christ, the sole Redeemer of mankind. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

This prayer may also be used privately to ask for the intercession of Blessed Pope John Paul II.