In solidarity with the Filipino people and the rest of the Catholic faith, TV5 defers from its usual programming this Sunday to give up-to-latest news on the canonization of Blessed Popes John XXIII and John Paul II straight from the Vatican.

‘The Canonization: John XXIII and John Paul II ‘ will be aired LIVE from 4:00 to 6:00 pm on TV5 and from 3:30 to 6:00 pm on Aksyon TV, before returning to usual programming by 7:30 pm. New5’s veteran news anchor Erwin Tulfo will report LIVE from the Vatican, while Cheri Mercado and Paolo Bediones man the studio from News5’s headquarters in Reliance.

Blessed Pope John Paul II (Karol Józef Wojtyła) is known to have a special place in his heart for the Filipino people. Known also as “The Traveling Pope”, he visited the Philippines twice: first in 1981, and another in 1995 on the occasion of World Youth Day – a privilege enjoyed only by few other countries. The latter was attended by five million people, proving that the love was mutual.

Blessed John XXIII, meanwhile, is known by many as “The Good Pope”. During his pontificate, he called for the Second Vatican Council in order to address the issues faced by the Church in the modern world. Vatican II institutionalized changes that reshaped the face of Catholicism, including the use of the vernacular in the liturgy, a stronger emphasis on ecumenical dialogues, and a new approach to the world.

On April 30, 2000, John Paul II declared the second Sunday of Easter as the Divine Mercy Sunday, emphasizing the devotion to the Divine Mercy of Christ. The beloved pontiff, who died on April 2005 on the vigil of the Divine Mercy Sunday, was beatified on Divine Mercy Sunday, May 1, 2011, by his successor, Pope Benedict XVI.

The ceremony to sainthood of Blessed Popes John XXIII and John Paul II will be celebrated by Pope Francis this Sunday, April 27, 2014, and the Filipino people will again be part of this momentous event through TV5’s live coverage.