Pope Francis clears John Paul II for sainthood

Pope Francis has cleared Pope John Paul II for sainthood, approving a miracle attributed to his intercession and setting up a dual canonisation along with another beloved pope, John XXIII.

In a major demonstration of his papal authority, Pope Francis decided to make John XXIII a saint even though the Vatican has not confirmed a second miracle attributed to his intercession.

The Vatican said Pope Francis had the power to “dispense” with the normal saint-making procedures to canonise him on his own merit, without a miracle.