Pope John Paul II nears sainthood (20 images)

VATICAN CITY, Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Pope Benedict XVI formally credited a miracle to his predecessor, paving the way for Pope John Paul II to be beatified May 1, the Vatican said Friday.

The Vatican said the late John Paul II miraculously cured a nun who reportedly had Parkinson's disease, the BBC reported.

Here is a look back at a few memorable moments with Pope John Paul II from the UPI News Picture Archives.

The Pope covers his ears to protect them from the deafening screams coming from Roman school boys and girls as he enters St. Peter's Basilica December 6, 1978 for his general audience. (UPI Photo/Luciano Mellace)

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Pope John Paul II is resting in the hospital February 25, 2005 following an emergency tracheotomy to ease his breathing. The Pope is seen here holding hands with Mother Theresa after visiting Casa del Cuore Puro, Mother Theresa's home for the destitute and dying February 3, 1986 in Calcutta. Mother Theresa, who passed away in 1997, is to be beatified by the Pope on October 19, 2003.(UPI/Luciano Mallace)

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The Pope is seen here wearing a white construction helmet during his visit to the Italian Rosignano Solvay chemical plant March 19, 1982. The pontiff, who worked in Poland in a similar plant, visited the chemical factory and spoke with workers who manufactured soda. (UPI Photo)

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Pope John Paul II is resting in the hospital February 25, 2005 following an emergency tracheotomy to ease his breathing. The Pope is seen here wearing the traditional head dress, cape and carrying staff of the Masai tribe while he attended Mass in Nairobi's Uhuru Park May 7, 1980. (UPI/Luciano Mellace)

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