the second CAT Scan, the lump shrunk considerably in size and within 24 hours, the lump was totally
cured according to the thid CAT Scan. The Rinaldi family, who were devout Christians, followed Father
Mondestino's advice and took three more days to take medical examinations, which could prove that the
disease was cured without necessary operations, before leaving the hospital. This case had enough
documentation and was an inexplicable phenomenon, and as a result the possibility for Padre Pio to be
recognized as a saint became considerably higher.
The next step was to be judged in front of the archbishop and the Promoter of Faith, formerly known
as Devil's Advocate at Celano Cathedral. The archbishop gave the stamp recognizing the case officially as
a miracle. After the procedure, the case was inspected by the group of doctors advising the Congregation
for Causes of Saints. The president of the group oftrcially claimed that even though he is a friend of the
Pope, the Pope did not apply any pressure to make a medical decision in favor of Padre Pio. Finally, the
top Vatican officials, including the Promoter of Faith discussed about the case and the Pope recognized
the case as a miracle on I December 1998. According to Vatican law, Padre Pio should perform one more
miracle to become a saint.