John Paul II miracles ‘confirmed’

Vatican theologians "confirmed" on Tuesday the second miracle of John Paul II, with inside sources telling the Italian ANSA news agency that the evidence would "amaze the world."

That means the signature of Pope Francis, which could come as early as December, is the only hurdle left before the Vatican canonizes the late Polish pontiff, who died in 2005.  

If all goes well, John Paul II will have reached sainthood in an incredibly short time. His first miracle, which lead to his beatification, was confirmed just six months after his death, according to Agence France Presse.  

The Vatican group that reviews sainthood candidates, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, declared that the late John Paul II had cured Sister Marie Simon-Pierre Normand of Parkinson's disease.

In 2011, the group claims, the late pontiff also cured a Costa Rican woman of disease. 

"A team of doctors first examine the miracle," explained Patrick Kelly, executive director of the Blessed John Paul II Shrine in Washington. "Secondly, the team of theologians look at the miracles and then they discuss amongst themselves the legitimacy and all the facts surrounding the miracles." 

For the Vatican to certify a miracle, it must be instantaneous, permanent, and have no scientific explanation. 

In modern times, the fastest canonization goes to to St. Jose-Maria Escriva, who was made a saint 27 years after his death, according to CNN.