The Vatican has reportedly "approved" a second miracle that can be attributed to the memory of Pope John Paul II, opening the door for him to become a full saint faster than anyone in recent history. The miracle allegedly has to do with the "extraordinary healing" of a woman in Costa Rica, who recovered from a brain injury after praying to the deceased pope. The Pope needed to reach a quota of two miracles before he could be stamped as a saint.
In Catholicism there are other phenomena that can help a Catholic become a saint besides miraculous healings. One is "incorruptibility"when a body is found to be free of decay when exhumed from the grave. The Church considers St. Catherine of Siena to be an example. She died in 1380, and 600 years later without any embalming, her flesh allegedly hasn't decomposed. Another is"liquefaction" when the dried blood of the saint miraculously liquefies on the feast day. The Church considers the patron saint of Naples to be an example. According to the Church, a vial of his dried blood liquefies every year on September 19. Another phenomena is the "odor of sanctity". This happens when the body of a saint allegedly exudes a sweet aroma, like roses, rather than the usual pungent stench of decay. The Church believes the grave of St. Teresa of Avila exuded a sweet fragrance for nine months after her death.
The process to become a saint in Catholicism includes inquiries into the person's life, reputation and activities and an examination of the person's written and spoken works.
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