On February 26, the ordinary public Consistory presided over by Pope John Paul II decreed that the canonization of Blessed Josemaría Escrivá, founder of the University of Navarre and Opus Dei, will take place on October 6. At the same ceremony, the date for the canonization of Padre Pio, beatified in 1999, was also set.

On December 20, the Ordinary Congregation of Cardinals and Bishops members of the Congregation unanimously confirmed before the Pope the second miracle attributed to the First Chancellor the University of Navarre. It concerns the miraculous cure of a serious occupational illness (chronic radiodermitis) suffered by Dr. Manuel Nevado Rey , which disappeared in November 1992, after he had recourse to the intercession of Josemaría Escrivá.

The Cause of canonization of the founder of Opus Dei began in 1981, five years and six months after his death. It was the first to be carried out according to the new legislation. During the application phase, some 6,000 letters of postulation were sent to the Holy Father from more than 100 countries, including 69 cardinals, 241 archbishops, 987 bishops (more than a third of the world's episcopate) and 41 superiors of religious orders and congregations.

The canonization of Josemaría Escrivá took place ten years after his beatification in Rome. Celebrated on May 17, 1992, it took place after the Ordinary Congregation of Cardinals and Bishops approved the miraculous cure of the Carmelite Sister Concepción Bouillón Rubio, a Carmelite Sister of Charity.

The news of the upcoming canonization has filled the University of Navarra with joy and gratitude, according to its President, José Mª Bastero. In his opinion, "the recognition of the sanctity of our Founder and First Chancellor will encourage us to reflect on the Christian witness that he bequeathed, with his writings and his example, to commit ourselves with more generosity to the task of making our University a place of serene study, of free and friendly coexistence, at the service of all.

On the other hand, the canonization will take place when the University of Navarra turns fifty. The President assured that "it will be an added reason for the fiftieth anniversary to represent the beginning of a new trajectory, in which our University, faithful to its founding principles, will develop an advanced university model , to place its professor and research work at the height of the challenges of our time".