Theologians have approved Pope Paul VI's unexplained healing of an unborn child as a miracle.
The Medical Commission of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints announced on Feb. 21 that the theological experts had unanimously recognized the healing through the intercession of Paul VI as miraculous, reports Catholic News Agency.
The act was called medically "unexplainable" in December 2013, but it is now considered an official miracle. The incident occurred in the early 1990s, when a pregnant woman was encouraged to abort her fetus by her doctors, due to the serious problems detected before birth. She prayed for Paul's intercession, and the child was born without any defects. The commission waited until he had reached adolescence before officially declaring him healed.
The Vatican has not yet made an official announcement about the reported miracle, says Catholic Culture. Once Pope Francis approves it, it will be officially certified, which will then clear the way for Paul VI's beatification.
A second post-beatification miracle would be needed for canonization, although Pope Francis has previously waived that requirement for Pope John XXIII.