A Costa Rican woman, Floribeth Mora, claims that former Pope John Paul II cured her brain aneurism through prayer. The Catholic Church has claimed the cure as a miracle and the second requirement needed for John Paul’s sainthood. Mora recalled the event at a press conference.

After a long illness Mora’s doctors could not figure out what the root of her illness was until 13 April 2011 when neurosurgeon Alejandro Vargas diagnosed Mora with a brain aneurism. Vargas suggested that surgery was not an option as it had a high risk attached to it. Mora was left with treatment that consisted of rest and sleeping pills.

During her treatment, Mora prayed to John Paul II to help cure her of her aneurism. Her prayers seemed to fall on deaf ears as she weakened.

John Paul II was beatified in May 2011 by Pope Benedict but Mora’s failing health meant that she could not watch the ceremony at the National Stadium. Instead she watched it on TV from bed. Mora said:

The next morning I woke up, and heard a voice that told me: ‘Rise! Don’t be afraid!’ And I said, ‘Yes my Lord. Since that day, I got up from that bed, and I’m here and well.

Vergas ran tests on Mora and could not believe the results they yielded. Vergas said:

I was surprised: the aneurism did not exist.

Experts from the Vatican interviewed Vargas and flew Mora to Rome for further testing to confirm that the incident was indeed a miracle. Only after Pope Francis signed a decree on Friday was Mora allowed to make her miracle public knowledge.

Hugo Barrantes, San Jose Archbishop said:

God directed his compassion towards such a tiny country and blessed us with a miracle! This is also a message that he wants Costa Rica to continue being Catholic.

The first miracle involved Sister Marie Simon-Pierre, who after praying for John Paul’s intercession was cured of Parkinson’s disease only six months after his death.

[Source: RawStory]