St. John Paul? Why not?

There is a growing worldwide sentiment that the late Pope John Paul II should be beatified in record time and then ushered directly in sainthood. Already reports of miracles are surfacing in support of John Paul's canonization.

According to one such report, while visiting Mexico more than a decade ago, the pope kissed and blessed a little boy with leukemia. Within a day or so, the boy -- four years old at the time -- began to feel strong and soon experienced a complete recovery. The recipient of the pope's blessing, now a health 20 year old, attributes his miraculous recovery to the pontiff's intervention.

According to Catholic scholars, such miracles that take place during an individual's life do not qualify for canonization consideration. Rather, a total of two miracles that occur after death must be attributed to the one who is being considered for sainthood. It will be interesting to see if claims of such miracles are brought forward in Pope John Paul's behalf.

As a protestant, this whole discussion of canonization and appropriate miracle verification has me not just a little puzzled. But one thing is for sure: According to untold millions of people, John Paul should be granted sainthood. Being accustomed to close political elections in which a victor is sometimes declared by the narrowest of margins, it seems to me that John Paul II is way ahead in the canonization polls. Further, I doubt if a protestant endorsement would strengthen the pope's case for sainthood, but I'd certainly be willing to cast a vote in his favor. I really don't see how it could hurt. After all, if John Paul's isn't deserving of sainthood, who is?