Moves to make the late John Paul II a saint may face delays because of a new Vatican clampdown on the fast-tracking of candidates for sainthood.

Claims that the Roman Catholic Church had become a "saint factory" emerged during the pontificate of John Paul II. He created 482 new saints, a number unprecedented during the reigns of the previous 17 pontiffs. John Paul II also streamlined the saint-making process, with moves that included the elimination of the "Devil's Advocate" whose duty was to put forward reasons for rejecting potential candidates for sainthood.

Now, at the urging of Pope Benedict XVI, Vatican officials are being instructed to examine the case of each candidate for sainthood slowly and meticulously. Archbishop Michele di Ruberto, secretary of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, the Vatican office that processes claims to sainthood, said that Pope Benedict wants the congregation to pay “maximum attention” in its evaluation of documents supporting a candidate's claim, with “scrupulous observation” of ecclesiastical norms. The archbishop said that the Pope himself reads every file page by page, and, until he is personally satisfied with the miracles accredited to a candidate, no progress for their cause is possible

The cause for sainthood of John Paul II, at whose funeral the faithful roared “Santo Subito” (make him a saint soon) could be affected by the new approach. “For John Paul II there is a presumed miracle, but first his heroic virtues must be approved,” said Archbishop di Ruberto. “And Benedict XVI has not yet delivered his judgement on the virtues of Wojtyla (John Paul's original surname), and his indication is to do things with maximum seriousness, taking all the time necessary."

The cause of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, a close friend of the late John Paul II and the founder of the Missionaries of Charity order in Calcutta, could also be affected. She was beatified or declared blessed in record time in 2003, six years after her death instead of the usual 10 year minimum wait. Her final step to sainthood is now expected to take longer.