Pope John Paul a step away from Sainthood

Vatican, Jan 17: Late Pope John Paul II, may soon be conferred with sainthood. His successor Pope Benedict XVI, approved a decree attributing a miracle to him and announced that he will be beatified on May 1, 2011.

Sister Marie Simon-Pierre Normand, a 49-year old French nun diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, said that her illness disappeared miraculously after she and her fellow nuns prayed to Pope John Paul II, two months after his death. The miracle is attributed to the intercession of the late Pope with God. The Pope too had suffered from the debilitating disease.

Another miracle after the beatification ceremony of the late Pope on May 1, must be approved before he is conferred with the sainthood.

Carl Anderson, head of the US based Knights of Columbus, one of the world's largest Catholic charity groups, said, "There is no doubt he will enter history as one of the greatest popes. His legacy, from theological contributions to the work he did that helped end Communism and brought freedom and unity to Europe ... is full of tremendous accomplishments."

The first non-Italian Pope in nearly five centuries, late John Paul II was famous for his globe-trotting ways in which he visited nearly every corner of the world.

The beatification ceremony in St. Peter's square is expected to be attended by thousands of people. His coffin will be moved beforehand from the Vatican crypts and placed under an altar in St Peter's Basilica so that more people can pay homage.

OneIndia News