Benedict paves way for John Paul's sainthood

Pope Benedict XVI said today he had opened the process for the sainthood of Pope John Paul II.

The move overrides the usual five-year waiting period following the death of a possible candidate.

The pope made the announcement in Latin during a meeting at the Basilica of St John Lateran with the Roman clergy.

The announcement came on the anniversary of an 1981 assassination attempt against John Paul in St Peter’s Square at the hands of a Turkish gunman.

Benedict’s announcement drew a standing ovation from the Roman priests.