The main reason for making new saints and indeed for venerating old ones is that they function as effective role models for the rest of us. I would question whether recent revelations about his strong friendship with a married woman makes the behaviour of St John Paul II something to emulate (“The heart has its reasons”, 20 February). He saw nothing wrong in the relationship and he let it continue, putting his personal friendship above her commitment to her marriage. There has been a rush to defend John Paul’s human side, and we all know saints are tempted, but surely this was very imperfect behaviour. The fact that he kept his celibacy intact could be seen as an exercise in spiritual pride. But he certainly lacked empathy for a woman who cared deeply for him. Many peopl