NEW YORK, April 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- SiriusXM will offer listeners the most comprehensive radio coverage available of the upcoming canonizations of Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII with a full week of programming dedicated to the historic proceedings and live coverage of the Canonization Mass in Rome, when Pope Francis will officially declare the two former pontiffs to be saints.

The Catholic Channel Presents: The Making of a Saint will feature special programming starting Monday, April 21 through Sunday, April 27 on SiriusXM channel 129.  Listeners will hear specials hosted by Cardinals Timothy Dolan and Edward Egan, archival recordings of Popes John Paul II and John XXIII, live programming from the Vatican hosted by Catholic Channel experts and more.

The Catholic Channel will also serve as a forum for Catholics and non-Catholics alike to call in and ask questions about the canonization process, share their memories of John Paul II and John XXIII, and be a part of the discussion about sainthood.

"The making of a saint is always a wonderful occasion for the Church, made particularly special in this case as Blesseds John Paul II and John XXIII were loved and admired by so many millions of people across several generations," said Cardinal Dolan.   "I am excited to invite a nation of listeners, from all faiths, to join us through the Catholic Channel to discuss the qualities of these men and their impact on our world."

"The Canonization of Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII will be a historic event and a joyous experience for millions of people around the world," said Dave Gorab, Vice President and General Manager, Talk Programming, SiriusXM.  "The Catholic Channel will offer a unique level of coverage that will inform listeners about the lives of two of the Church's greatest leaders and give the audience a forum to express what these two men have meant to them in their own lives."

Highlights for the week will include:

Cardinal Timothy Dolan will host a special edition of his Catholic Channel show live from the SiriusXM studios on Tuesday, April 22 (1:00 pm ET).  Cardinal Dolan and co-host, Father Jonathan Morris, will be joined on the program by author/columnist Peggy Noonan, who wrote John Paul the Great: Remembering a Spiritual Father about Blessed John Paul II, and Dr. Randy Rosenberg, author of The Vision of Saint John XXIII.  An intimate audience of SiriusXM subscribers will join the Cardinal in studio to watch the show and ask questions.

Cardinal Edward Egan, the former Archbishop of New York, will return to the Catholic Channel airwaves to host a special program dedicated to Blesseds John Paul II and John XXIII, debuting Monday, April 21 at 5:00 pm ET. 

Catholic Channel hosts Father Dave Dwyer, Lino Rulli and Father Leo Patalinghug will broadcast live from Vatican City Tuesday through Thursday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm ET and Father Dave and Lino will host a two-hour special airing throughout the day on Friday. 

On Saturday, April 26, the Catholic Channel will present a full day tribute to Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII.  Listeners will hear rare archival recordings of masses and speeches from both pontiffs, remembrances of their lives and pastoral works, as well as replays of the canonization specials hosted by Cardinal Dolan and Cardinal Egan.

On Sunday, April 27, the Catholic Channel will offer live coverage of the Canonization Mass, which will be celebrated by his Holiness Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square, starting at 3:00 am ET.  Father Dave Dwyer and Lino Rulli will be on hand to offer commentary as the event proceeds and describe the scene for SiriusXM listeners.  Immediately following the live mass broadcast, the Catholic Channel's Gus Lloyd will host a 90 minute live call-in show where listeners can share their sentiments.

SiriusXM's coverage of the Canonization Mass will be re-broadcast throughout the day on Sunday, giving listeners multiple opportunities to tune in.

For more information on The Catholic Channel Presents: The Making of a Saint, please visit www.SiriusXM.com/TheCatholicChannel.

About SiriusXM

Sirius XM Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: SIRI) is the world's largest radio broadcaster measured by revenue and has 25.6 million subscribers.  SiriusXM creates and broadcasts commercial-free music; premier sports talk and live events; comedy; news; exclusive talk and entertainment; and the most comprehensive Latin music, sports and talk programming in radio. SiriusXM is available in vehicles from every major car company in the U.S. and from retailers nationwide as well as at shop.siriusxm.com. SiriusXM programming is available through the SiriusXM Internet Radio App for smartphones and other connected devices as well as online at siriusxm.com. SiriusXM also provides premium traffic, weather, data and information services for subscribers in cars, trucks, RVs, boats and aircraft through SiriusXM Traffic™, SiriusXM Travel Link, NavTraffic®, NavWeather™, SiriusXM Aviation, SiriusXM Marine™, Sirius Marine Weather, XMWX Aviation™, and XMWX Marine™.  SiriusXM holds a minority interest in SiriusXM Canada which has more than 2 million subscribers.

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Media contact:
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SiriusXM
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andrew.fitzpatrick@siriusxm.com

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