On the twenty-fourth anniversary of the attempted assasination of Pope John Paul II, the late pope’s successor Pope Benedict XVI announced that he will be waiving the five-year waiting period required before a cause for canonization can be opened for John Paul II:
"The pope’s decision to authorize the start of the process for sainthood for Pope John Paul II overrode the usual five-year waiting period following the death of a candidate before beatification procedures can begin. The only other time the waiting period was waived was for Mother Teresa. The process was begun a year after her death.
"Benedict made the announcement in Latin during a meeting at the Basilica of St. John Lateran with the Roman clergy. Friday is the anniversary of an 1981 assassination attempt on John Paul in St. Peter’s Square at the hands of a Turkish gunman.
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"Benedict’s announcement drew a standing ovation from the Roman priests.
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"Benedict, who had been seated, stood up to join the clergy in applauding the major tribute to his predecessor."
I applaud the move, but do think it is a little soon. I think he should have waited a couple of years like JPII did for Mother Teresa.