Rome , Italy ( CNN ) -- Pope Benedict XVI is expected to sign a decree on Saturday that will put his predecessor , Pope John Paul II , a step closer to sainthood . The Diocese of Rome 's press office said Friday that the pontiff is expected to approve the `` heroic virtues '' of John Paul II and then declare him `` venerable . '' A miracle attributed to his intervention will have to be verified for the late pope to be declared `` blessed , '' or beatified . A second miracle would have to be confirmed for him to then be officially canonized , or made a saint . John Paul II died on April 2 , 2005 , at age 84 . Several months after his death , his successor said he had dispensed with rules that normally impose a five-year waiting period before beatification . The rule is intended to allow time for evidence and witnesses supporting the sainthood cause to be prepared , as well as to wait for emotions to dissipate after death . But John Paul himself set a precedent in 1999 when he granted a dispensation and let Mother Teresa 's sainthood cause begin two years after her death . CNN 's Hada Messia contributed to this report .
Pope expected to approve `` heroic virtues '' of John Paul II , declare him `` venerable '' Two confirmed miracles must be attributed to John Paul before he becomes saint . Usually , process begins five years after death , Benedict OKs early start for John Paul .