New Miracle Brings Pope John Paul II Steps Away from Sainthood
The Vatican has reportedly "approved" a second miracle that can be attributed to the memory of Pope John Paul II, opening the door for him to become a full saint faster than anyone in recent history. The Vatican won't reveal the details of the miracle just yet, but it allegedly concerns the "extraordinary healing" of a woman in Costa Rica, who recovered from a brain injury after praying to the deceased pope. A similar healing miracle was attributed to John Paul in 2011, giving him the two miracles required to reach full sainthood.
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The second miracle was first reported earlier this year, but now a commission of Catholic theologians has certified the miracle, after doctors testified that the healing was "inexplicable" by normal medical standards. All that's required now is a vote by the a commission of cardinals and bishops and then the current pope can make it official.
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The speculation is that John Paul II could become a saint by as early as October, just eight years after his death. The "modern record" for the shortest time from death to sainthood is 27 years (by Josemaria Escriva, the founder of Opus Dei), although saints in medieval times were often canonized much more quickly. Even though the process was streamlined in 1981, the former pope's examination by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints has gone even fast then expected. That would be fitting, however, since John Paul himself canonized 482 saints during his tenure, more than the previous 17 popes combined.
