A truly beloved pontiff — and crucial figure in the fall of communism in Eastern Europe — has been recognized as “venerable” by his successor, Pope Benedict XVI, putting the first Polish pope a step closer to sainthood. CNN explains:

“A miracle attributed to Pope John Paul’s intervention will have to be verified for him to be declared ‘blessed,’ or beatified. A second miracle would have to be confirmed for him to then be officially canonized, or made a saint.

It’s too early to say how long that process may take, said Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi.

‘It is recognized that he led a Christian life in a heroic and extraordinary manner,’ Lombardi told CNN. ‘This is a fundamental step in the road toward sainthood. Now comes the examination of a miracle, which is the proof of the divine interceding power of John Paul II on behalf of God.’

John Paul II died on April 2, 2005, at the age of 84. Several months after his death, his successor said he had dispensed with rules that normally impose a five-year waiting period before beatification.

The rule is intended to allow time for evidence and witnesses supporting the sainthood cause to be prepared, as well as to wait for emotions to dissipate after death.

But John Paul himself set a precedent in 1999 when he granted a dispensation and let Mother Teresa’s sainthood cause begin only two years after her death.”

I predict a short path to sainthood for John Paul. Not only would one be hard-pressed to argue against it, but popular sentiment clamors for it, as with Mother Teresa.

(Photo by J. Emilio Flores/Getty Images)