How the Catholic Church Determines a 'Miracle'

Albino Luciano, better known to the world as Pope John Paul I, reigned as pope for only 34 days before his death in September 1978. But he will soon join the ranks of 20th-century popes who the Catholic Church has canonized. This literally means they have been entered on the "canon," or list, of people formally declared to be in heaven and have been granted the title "Blessed" or "Saint." The process requires a rigorous examination of the life and holiness of a candidate and involves several stages that can last years or even centuries.