NEW YORK, April 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) announced today that it will offer listeners nationwide live coverage of the beatification of Pope John Paul II from the Vatican this Sunday, May 1, on The Catholic Channel (Sirius channel 159 and XM channel 117).

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The Catholic Channel's Father Dave Dwyer and Father Rob Keighron will anchor the live coverage, starting at 4:00 am ET, of the Beatification Ceremony, celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI, in St. Peter's Square.  Pope Benedict will designate his predecessor "Blessed John Paul II," a title bestowed on Christians to whom a miracle has been officially attributed, and thereby bringing him a step closer to sainthood.  In addition to airing live, the Catholic Channel's coverage of the event will replay Sunday at 1:00 pm ET and again at 7:00 pm ET.

Earlier this year, Pope Benedict decreed that a French nun, Sister Marie Pierre Simon, had been miraculously cured of Parkinson's disease thanks to John Paul's intercession.  A Vatican-appointed committee of cardinals, bishops, doctors and theologians determined that the recovery was "scientifically unexplainable," clearing the way for his beatification.  With the confirmation of a second miracle, John Paul could then be declared a Saint.

One of the most popular and longest-serving pontiffs in history, John Paul II has been acclaimed as one of the most influential world leaders of the 20th century. Leading up to and throughout the weekend, The Catholic Channel will devote itself to remembering and honoring his life and papacy.

On this week's edition of his weekly show, A Conversation with the Archbishop, airing Thursday, April 28, at 1:00 pm ET, New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan will talk with his predecessor, Edward Cardinal Egan, and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich.  Cardinal Egan's life as a priest and bishop was greatly influenced by John Paul II, who made him a bishop, an archbishop and a cardinal.  The Cardinal will tell many personal and behind-the-scenes stories of Pope John Paul, who the Cardinal knew and worked closely with during the more than 26 years that John Paul II served as pope.

Former Speaker Gingrich will discuss his documentary, Nine Days That Changed The World, on John Paul II's historic 1979 trip to Poland, which many credit as the beginning of a groundswell that led to the fall of Communism.

On Friday, April 29, Lino Rulli's popular daily program, The Catholic Guy, will air from the Vatican from 4:00 to 7:00 pm ET with a special show devoted to the beatification.  On Saturday, April 30, The Catholic Channel will present a full day retrospective on John Paul II, featuring remembrances by the Catholic Channel's many hosts and other special guests whose lives were affected by him.

For more info please visit www.siriusxm.com/thecatholicchannel.

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SOURCE Sirius XM Radio