New rules about miracles

The Vatican issued new rules for the process to determine whether healings qualify as miracles for sainthood, including safeguards against financial abuses.

The rules deal with how a panel of medical experts scrutinizes potential miracles. Pope Francis has expressed determination to ensure the sainthood process, which attracts donations by faithful for canonization candidates, is rigorous and avoids scandals.

One rule stipulates a potential miracle can no longer be presented for consideration if it fails to pass before the board of medical experts three times.