Pope Francis clears John Paul II for sainthood

VATICAN CITY (AP):

Francis today cleared Pope John Paul II for sainthood, approving a miracle attributed to his intercession and setting up a dual canonisation along with another pope, John XXIII.



The canonisation ceremony is expected before the end of the year.



In a major demonstration of his papal authority, Francis decided to make John XXIII a saint even though the Vatican hasn't confirmed a second miracle attributed to his intercession.



The Vatican said Francis had the power to dispense with the normal saint-making procedures to canonise John on his own merits.



The canonisation announcement came shortly after the release of Francis' first encyclical, a meditation on faith that is unique because it was written with someone else: Benedict XVI.



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