Venerable Pope Paul VI moved one step closer to sainthood last week when the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints approved a miracle attributed to his intercession.

According to the Catholic News Agency (CNA),  the miracle concerned the healing of an unborn child in the early 1990's. During the mother's pregnancy, doctors discovered a serious problem with the baby which normally results in brain damage. They advised her to abort the child. She refused, and instead entrusted the pregnancy to Pope Paul VI, author of Humanae Vitae.

The child was born with no defects but it was only after the child reached puberty that doctors could be certain he had made a full recovery without any lingering problems. He is now a teenager and is doing fine. Doctors consider his healing to be medically inexplicable.

The cause for canonization of Paul VI was opened in 1993. In December 2012, Pope Benedict XVI signed a decree recognizing his heroic virtue and gave him the title "Venerable."

As CNA reports, "This title means the individual has practiced outstanding faith, hope, and charity, as well as extraordinary virtuous actions with readiness over a period of time."

If Pope Francis approves the miracle, Paul VI will be beatified. Another miracle will be required before he can be canonized.

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