Sophia calls for beatification of late Pope

London (ANI): Italian actress Sophia Loren has called on leaders of the Catholic Church to approve the beatification of late pope John Paul II. Loren, 74, a devout Roman Catholic, told church officials that the reason behind the move, which would confirm the religious leader's place in history, is because the late pope, who died in 2005, had meant a lot to her and her fellow followers.

“I jealously keep the memory of John Paul II in my heart. It is a daily memory. I went to the tomb of John Paul II in the Vatican to pay homage to him and pray, in order to show my great admiration and devotion," the Daily Star quoted her as having written. “I also turned to him to get his benediction for my entire family at a particular moment," she added.