The Congregation of Saints has unanimously approved the recognition of a miracle attributed to Blessed Paul VI, meaning the former Pontiff will likely be canonised as a saint later this year. The cause now goes to Pope Francis for final approval, and for a date for the canonisation. The miracle concerns the healing of an unborn child who was suffering from a potentially fatal disease. Shortly after Pope Paul VI’s beatification, the child’s mother travelled to Brescia, the former Pontiff’s hometown, to pray for healing. The child was eventually born in good health. Pope Paul VI was born as Giovanni Battista Montini in 1897. He was ordained in 1920 and rose to become Archbishop of Milan in 1954 before being elected Pope in 1963. He died in 1978.