2014 has been an eventful year for Popes who knew
of Matt Talbot. Earlier this year Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII were
both declared saints.
And yesterday, 19 October 2014, Pope Francis beatified Pope Paul VI (1897-1978), the pope who
declared Matt Talbot as “Venerable” on 3rd October 1975, fifty years after
Matt’s death.
In a 1974 address in Rome to Calix Society members
on the occasion of their twenty-fifth anniversary, the now “Blessed Paul
VI” stated: “You have chosen to look upon Matt Talbot as an admirable exemplar
of discipline and supernatural virtue. It is our hope that his success will
encourage countless men and women throughout the world to realize the need for
conversion, the possibility of real rehabilitation, the serenity of Christian
reconciliation, and the peace and joy of helping others to overcome abuses,
disorders and sin.” (http://venerablematttalbotresourcecenter.blogspot.com/2008/03/pope-paul-vi-calix-society-and-matt.html)