Pope Francis has approved a second miracle attributed to Mother Teresa, clearing the way for the Nobel laureate to be declared a saint next year. The Vatican announced on Friday that the pontiff had recognised the miraculous cure of a Brazilian man from multiple brain tumours in 2008, following the nun's intercession.
The canonisation ceremony is expected to take place on September 4, 2016, as a highlight of the church's jubilee year of mercy. Mother Teresa, who died in 1997, won global acclaim for her work with the poor and dying in Kolkata's slums, earning the nickname 'Saint of the Gutters'.
However, the decision has drawn criticism. Researchers from the University of Montreal and the University of Ottawa concluded in a 2013 report that Mother Teresa's reputation was undeserved, citing questionable medical care, political contacts, and management of funds. Critics also point to her staunch opposition to abortion and contraception.
Vatican journalist John Allen noted that sainthood does not imply perfection, but reflects a judgment of a holy life. The late journalist Christopher Hitchens had previously ridiculed the first miracle attributed to her in 2003, calling it 'fakery'.
In Kolkata, Archbishop Thomas D'Souza welcomed the news as a 'Christmas gift', stating that her life was spent in service to the poor and that the canonisation is a significant event in the Year of Mercy.
