Vatican Reveals Miraculous Lead
Krakow's Roman Catholic archbishop spoke Tuesday of a possible miracle performed by Pope John Paul II in France that a church tribunal will focus on as the Vatican pursues its case for beatification.
Archbishop Stanislaw Dziwisz, who was personal secretary to John Paul, told reporters in Rome that "there are no problems with miracles because there are many, but they have picked one because they don't need more."
Pressed further, Dziwisz added: "Maybe this I can say: they have picked (one in) France."
The Vatican needs proof of a miracle before it can proclaim John Paul eligible for sainthood, and a church tribunal from the archdiocese of Krakow, Poland, has been gathering evidence from witnesses.
Dziwisz said the process was "proceeding very well" and could be over as soon as March, the ANSA news agency reported.
"There are many testimonies, we must choose the most accurate ones to show the personality of John Paul II," Dziwisz was quoted as saying.
Pope Benedict XVI paved the way for the swift opening of the process for the much-loved pontiff when he waived the customary five-year waiting period after John Paul's death on April 2.
Dziwisz said Poles were looking forward to Benedict's planned visit to Poland next year.
John Paul II, born Karol Wojtyla in Wadowice, Poland, served in Krakow as priest, bishop and archbishop for almost 40 years before being elected pope in 1978. Dziwisz was his personal secretary and most trusted aide from the mid-1960s until his death.