Pope John Paul II Performs Second Miracle, May Be One Step Closer To Sainthood

The late Pope John Paul II may be one step closer to sainthood. Italian news agencies confirmed yesterday that the pope performed a second miracle two years ago. If the miracle is attributed to the late pope, it will be his second miracle, which is needed for canonization, Catholic Online reports.

The alleged miracle concerns a Costa Rican woman who was cured of a severe brain injury after her family prayed to the memory of the late pope, the Telegraph reports. Sources said the miracle will “amaze the world.”

The Congregation for Saints’ Causes, the unit of the Roman Curia that oversees the process of canonizing saints, has a board of physicians who reportedly reviewed the case from the Latin American woman and found no medical explanation for her recovery.

The healing allegedly took place on May 1, 2011, just hours after John Paul was beatified – the second to last step before sainthood where a person is recognized for a posthumous miracle.

Pope John Paul II’s first miracle was attributed to the healing of a French nun, Sister Marie Simon-Pierre, from Parkinson's disease.

"When I went to the chapel to pray, I realized that my arm was moving and it wasn't motionless beside my body, which was swaying. During the Mass I knew for certain that I had been cured," Simon-Pierre said describing her moment of healing. She later went to her neurologist who said her symptoms disappeared inexplicably, according to RomeReports.com.

Even if the alleged second miracle is true, the cardinals that are members of the congregation must vote to recognize the healing and recommend the pope to sainthood, the Catholic Herald reports.

Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz of Kraków, Poland, Blessed John Paul’s close friend and secretary, hopes the canonization will take place in October – the 35th anniversary of the late pope’s election to papacy. Others speculate it will take place on Nov. 24.

Pope John Paul II, born Karol Wojtyla in Poland, remains one of the most popular popes in history. He died in 2005 at the age of 84.

“The canonization of Karol Wojtyla will be the crowning glory of the recent history of Catholicism, linking the last three pontificates,” Saverio Gaeta, who wrote a biography of John Paul II, told La Stampa newspaper.