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The miracle worker

Francis X. Rocca

Most barbers are happy with a nice big tip, but the man who used to trim Pope John Paul II says the late pontiff miraculously cured him of a hernia.

But as the Times of London notes, even if the Vatican were to recognize the cure as miraculous, it would still not count toward John Paul’s eventual canonization as a saint. Pope Benedict is expected to recognize another miracle in the cause of John Paul’s beatification, the honor just short of sainthood, which will probably be bestowed sometime this year. A second miracle would be required for canonization — but it would have to have occurred after beatification.

(All clear now?)


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