( CNN ) -- Pope Francis announced on Monday that Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II will become saints on April 27 , 2014 . This is the first time that two popes will be canonized at the same time . While John Paul II is considered conservative and John XXIII progressive , each extended his hands to the global community . By canonizing two internationally respected religious icons who were quite different from each other , Pope Francis is once again showing the path toward tolerance and civility that is the basis of our collective humanity . The first Jesuit to ascend to the papacy , Pope Francis recently told La CiviltÃ Cattolica , the Italian Jesuit journal , that too many people have become obsessed with gays , abortion and contraception . His vision of a more inclusive faith that does not discriminate against anyone is a conviction in which I believe the vast majority of Rhode Islanders and Americans share . Pope Francis , by his actions and words , demonstrates that he is determined to eliminate the scourge of prejudice in our society and to renew our civic purpose as a people . For too long , religious extremism has prevailed at the expense of our common human ties . In certain circles in America and countries around the world , there are those people who try to demean others as lesser based on their social standing , skin color or the person they love . This pope can help transcend the culture wars of the past . While I have forcefully maintained the separation of our public and private lives over the course of my career in politics , Pope Francis ' papacy offers an unprecedented opportunity for a partnership that wipes out poverty and fulfills a wealth of public policy goals . Since taking the helm of the Vatican , Pope Francis has rededicated the pontificate to the causes of economic justice , equality and peace . In visits to poverty-stricken communities , he has praised the courage of the poor , urging society to receive them with love and understanding . During a trip to the recession-ravaged capital of Sardinia , where he wore a helmet alongside coal miners , Pope Francis criticized the `` idolatry of money , '' a corporate economy that has erased jobs and increased the gap between the wealthy and the poor . `` Where there is no work , there is no dignity , '' he said . In addition to being perhaps the most populist pope in our history , this pope is free of dogma against minorities , thus , providing a platform for all working families . On the international stage , Pope Francis has advocated for diplomacy amid the recent tensions in the Middle East . As the humanitarian crisis in Syria escalated and an ominous conflict loomed , he passionately preached a course of peace . The Pope has encouraged our youth -- the next generation -- to empower themselves with compassion and hope instead of clinging to a vicious cycle of animosity and violence . Rather than narrowly tailoring his message along anti-minority lines , Pope Francis ' spiritual doctrine seems to be informed by a commitment to embrace all of humanity . As governor of a state that is home to many Catholics as well as a diverse group of believers and nonbelievers , these are the values shared in many corners of Rhode Island , where we recently celebrated the 350th anniversary of our founding charter -- the first among the American colonies to protect religious liberty . Mapping a modern papacy for the Millennial age , Pope Francis has charted a bold new direction for the future of religion . With an enormous heart and acute intellect , he is poised to be a trailblazing leader who reaches far beyond any one individual religious community . Already , Pope Francis is a shining example of the civil society that we aspire to be in Rhode Island and across our country . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Lincoln D. Chafee .
Pope Francis announced that one former popes will be canonized in April 27 , 2014 . CNN Chafee : Once again , Pope Francis is showing the path toward tolerance . He says Francis 's papacy offers a chance for us to fight poverty and renew civics . Chafee : Pope Francis is a shining example for people of U.S and rest of U.S .