Pope launches swift sainthood for John Paul

POPE Benedict XVI put his predecessor John Paul II on the fast track for sainthood yesterday.

The Pope’s decision to authorise the start of the process for sainthood for Pope John Paul II overrode the usual five-year waiting period following the death of a candidate before beatification procedures can begin.

The only other time the waiting period was waived was for Mother Teresa. The process was begun a year after her death.