Sainthood for John Paul II?
JENNIFER ECCLESTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Pope Benedict XVI making the announcement, the case for the beatification of John Paul II is now open. His proclamation drew immediate approval.</s>ECCLESTON: John Paul II died on April 2nd, leading to widespread calls from Catholics worldwide for him to be made a saint. In the hours following his death and at his funeral mass, tens of thousands waved banners and chanted "Santo Subito," immediate sainthood.</s>JOHN ALLEN, CNN VATICAN ANALYST: This is the way that processes for saint hood are supposed to work in the Catholic Church. It's supposed to start with a strong popular devotion, but the church then comes in after the fact and ratifies. And that -- at that funeral mass, there's no better evidence that there's a strong popular devotion for this man than that.</s>ECCLESTON: The road to saint hood is arduous and steeped in tradition. A commission of historians will be appointed to gather information, evidence, and compiles documents. This will be examined by theologians, cardinals and bishops. There findings must then be approved by the pope.</s>ALLEN: Then, in order for the person to be beatified, there has to be a miracle that has to be documented, that has to be first passed by a group of physicians who can assure that there wasn't any scientific explanation for it, that it was an instant, but it was lasting. And that it was -- can't be explained any other way.</s>ECCLESTON: These are the types of reports the Vatican will be analyzing. An American Jew cured of a brain tumor after attending mass with the late pope. A Mexican boy stricken with Leukemia who recovered after a papal kiss. Even a cardinal who regained his ability to speak after John Paul touched his throat. In normal circumstances, five years must pass between the death of a person in line for beatification and the start of the process to avoid emotion playing a part. However, John Paul II dispensed with this rule himself when in 2003 he beatified Mother Teresa of Calcutta.</s>ECCLESTON (on camera): John Paul II, beatified and canonized more people than any other pope. The cardinal in charge of the Vatican Office of Sainthood, said the decision to fast track the late pope is an acknowledgement of the will of the Catholic faithful, an extraordinary event for someone many call an extraordinary man. Jennifer Eccleston, CNN, Rome.</s>BLITZER: Thanks, Jennifer. Let's take a quick look at some other news making headlines "Around the World." Security forces in eastern Uzbekistan opened fire on thousands of protesters. Leaders of the demonstration said as many as 20 civilians were killed and dozens were wounded. Shooting erupted after protesters stormed a jail to free people accused of Islamic extremism. More unrest in India-controlled Kashmir. Police fired tear gas and clashed with hundreds of angry demonstrators protesting a grenade attack. The blast yesterday killed two women and wounded dozens of others, including numerous children outside a school. Anti-American protests in Afghanistan are spreading outside the country. Hundreds of members of the militant group Hamas took to the streets of Gaza to protest alleged desecration of Islam's holy book by U.S. Forces guarding detained Muslims at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. At least 15 people have been killed in clashes this week in Afghanistan between security forces and protesters. And that's our look "Around the World." State of emergency extended. How the recent flare-up of violence in Iraq will affect the length of time American troops will have to stay in that country. Is the U.S. military closing in on the terrorist mastermind Abu Musab al-Zarqawi? There's some new information from a former CIA station chief in the region. We'll speak with him. Also ahead -- a celebrity lawyer once on the Jackson defense team is forced to testify today. We'll go live to the courthouse.