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John Paul II's Beatification Cause Advancing

VATICAN CITY, MARCH 31, 2008 (Zenit.org).- The report documenting the heroic virtues of Pope John Paul II is nearly ready, the postulator of his cause of beatification announced.

The report on the Polish Pope's virtue is a necessary and definitive step in the beatification process. Monsignor Slawomir Oder's announcement came today, just two days before the third anniversary of John Paul II's death.

"In recent days, I have turned in a nearly definitive draft of the 'positio,' the report that collects all of the documents ordered in a systematic and organized way about his pontificate," the monsignor told Vatican Radio. "We're dealing with some 2,000 pages that need to be edited, but that overall can be considered completed."

The priest reported that it falls to the relator of the cause, Dominican Father Daniel Ols, of the Congregation for Saints' Causes, "after having examined the collection of material, to give his approval for the official presentation."

"For the time being, it's premature to announce a definitive date for the final turning in," Monsignor Oder added.

Cardinal José Saraiva Martíns, prefect of the Congregation for Saints' Causes, announced March 25 in declarations to Vatican Radio: "I can guarantee that as soon as we receive the 'positio,' we will study it immediately without losing a moment, since obviously this dicastery desires that John Paul II arrives as soon as possible to the altars and can be called 'blessed,' and thus respond to the shouts in St. Peter's Square, 'santo subito' (sainthood now)."

Various theologians will study the document and if it is approved, Benedict XVI could then grant a decree in recognition of the Polish Pope's heroic virtue, which would permit proclaiming John Paul II as venerable. To be beatified, a miracle needs to be attributed to his intercession.