Progress on Pope John Paul II’s path to sainthood is expected to come on Saturday when Benedict 16^th approves what are known as the “heroic virtues” of the late pope, officially giving him the title of “Venerable.”

While the Vatican has not made any official announcement of the move, sources have revealed that in November, the cardinals and bishops who are members of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints voted in favor of the heroic virtues for John Paul.

With Benedict’s approval of the heroic virtues – meaning John Paul lived a life of holiness – just one hurdle is left before his predecessor can officially become “Blessed,” and that’s a miracle performed through his intercession.

Officials working on John Paul’s cause say a miracle is already under study, a French nun cured of Parkinson’s, the same disease the pope suffered from for years.

The ceremony making John Paul “Blessed,” known as a beatification, could come as early as October 2010, just a little more than five years after his death.

A second miracle is need for canonization, officially making someone a saint.

While John Paul crisscrossed the globe during much of his pontificate, which ran from 1978-2005, revitalizing the Catholic Church in many areas, not everyone is convinced he should be rushed to the altars.

Even some conservative Catholics – almost all fans of the late pope for his intense evangelizing activity — worry that too much of the sexual abuse scandal in the Church took place on his watch, and under bishops he appointed.

One Jesuit priest doesn’t think any pope should be made a saint.

“Saints are supposed to be examples for us how to live a Christian life,” said Fr. Thomas Reese. “How can a pope be an example to anyone but a pope? We need more young people, parents, business people, politicians and workers as saints.”

But the massive crowds that came to pay their respects to John Paul after his death, waiting in line for as long as 14 hours for just a 20-second glimpse of the pope, surprised even those who had worked with the pope for years.

The crowds asked that he be made “santo subito,” a saint immediately. Benedict didn’t do that, but he did put him on the fast track.