Beatification is a recognized stage in the Catholic Church's process of canonization, the formal declaration of someone as a saint. It follows a rigorous Church investigation, examining the life, writings, and reputation of a deceased person. The process aims to establish clear evidence of holiness, including miracles attributed to the candidate's intercession. If the investigation concludes that the candidate lived a life of heroic virtue and performed at least one miracle, the Pope issues a declaration by the Pope declaring the person "blessed." This declaration allows public veneration of the blessed individual within a specific geographical area or religious order. Further evidence of miraculous intervention is required before full canonization as a saint can occur.