Pope Francis Clears John Paul II, John XXIII for Sainthood

Oct. 22, 1978: Pope John Paul II blesses the faithful in St. Peter’s Square from a Vatican City balcony right after he was named Pontiff. A Vatican official says Pope John Paul II has cleared the final obstacle before being made a saint. A commission of cardinals and bishops reportedly met Tuesday, July 2, 2013 to consider the case and signed off on it, leaving only Pope Francis to approve it. A Vatican official confirmed that the decision had been taken some time back and that Tuesday’s meeting was essentially a formality. (AP)

DEVELOPING:  Pope Francis has cleared former Pope John Paul II for sainthood, approving a miracle attributed to his intercession.

Francis also decided Friday to canonize another pope, John XXIII, even though there has been no second miracle attributed to his intercession. The Vatican said Francis approved a decision by cardinals and bishops.

The ceremonies are expected before the end of the year. The date of Dec. 8 has been floated as a possibility, given it’s the feast of the Immaculate Conception, a major feast day for the church.