Pope Francis has approved the canonisation of John Paul II and John XXIII, the Vatican has announced. A Vatican spokesman said the Pope had approved decrees clearing the way for both popes to be declared saints. The Pope will convoke a consistory of cardinals to decide the date of the canonisations. It is expected that both popes will be canonised on the same day. Francis also approved a decree recognising a miracle attributed to Mgr Álvaro del Portillo, the late prelate of Opus Dei, meaning that he will soon be beatified.