, Vatican City, June 28 (UPI) -- The Vatican has begun looking for evidence of a miracle by John Paul II with a view toward conferring sainthood on the late pope.
The canonization process began Tuesday by members of a special commission that includes a latter-day "Devil's Advocate" whose job will be to challenge any claim, the BBC reported. The members are sworn to secrecy and probity.
The Vatican said it has already received hundreds of letters and e-mails in praise of John Paul's holiness. He died less than three months ago.
Normally, the procedure for conferring sainthood does not start until five years after death, but Pope John Paul's case is being fast-tracked following a special ruling by Pope Benedict XVI, the report said.
The task will require the Vatican to find evidence of at least two miracles since his death -- miraculous acts proven to have happened after a direct appeal to John Paul through prayer.
