Pope Francis authorises the canonisation of Mother Teresa

Pope Francis has recognised a second miracle attributed to Mother Teresa, clearing the path for her to be made a saint next year.

Mother Teresa, the founder of the Missionaries of Charity who died in 1997 and was beatified by John Paul II in 2003, is expected to be canonised in Rome on 4 September.

Today’s announcement followed a private meeting between Pope Francis and Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

The second miracle, attributed to her following months of anticipation, involved the healing of a Brazilian man with several brain tumours in 2008.

Cardinal Amato has previously suggested 4 September – the day before Mother Teresa’s birthday – as a possible date for her canonisation.

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta was born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu on 26 August 1910, in Macedonia.

She joined the Sisters of Loretto at 17 and was sent to Calcutta, in India, where she contracted tuberculosis and was sent to recover in Darjeeling. En route she said that God told her to leave the convent and live among the poor.

She founded the Missionaries of Charity in 1950. The organisation, which helps cares for the sick and poor, has grew from a single house to some 500 houses around the world.

Known for her work among the poor in the slums of Calcutta, Mother Teresa won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.

The first miracle attributed to her was accepted by then Pope John Paul II in 2003 and involved curing an Indian woman suffering from an abdominal tumour.