A process which could lead to the early canonisation of Pope John Paul II has begun at the Vatican.
His case is being fast-tracked after a special ruling by Pope Benedict XVI.
Members of the commission in charge of the case today swore an oath of secrecy and probity, before starting their investigation.
Canon lawyers, theologians and notaries will examine John Paul's life for evidence of 'heroic virtues'.
They will look at evidence from scores of witnesses and analyse several accounts of alleged miracles attributed to John Paul during his lifetime.
The canonization procedure does not normally start until five years after death but Pope Benedict XVI made a special ruling for the late Pontiff.
