John Paul II Cleared for Sainthood: Vatican

Tuesday brought the news that Pope John Paul II awaited just the final sign-off from Pope Francis before being made a saint. Three days later, that approval has come. Reuters reports that the Vatican today announced that Francis has approved the second of the two miracles needed on the road to sainthood. In the latest instance, a gravely ill Costa Rican woman who prayed to his memory on the day of his beatification recovered; more details of that miracle are to be released today.

His first miracle—a French nun says her Parkinson's disappeared after she prayed to him—was approved in 2011, roughly six years after his death. CNN notes that was the fastest beatification in centuries.The canonization ceremony is expected to occur before the close of 2013, and will also see Pope John XXIII (aka the Good Pope) made a saint. Reuters points out that in John XXIII's case, Francis has waived the second-miracle requirement. NBC News reports that the two will join 78 former popes who have been canonized. (More Vatican stories.)