In Catholic teaching, a saint is a person recognized for their exceptional holiness and union with God. The process of becoming officially recognized as a saint, canonization, is a lengthy and rigorous Church investigation. This process begins with a proposal, followed by a diocesan inquiry gathering evidence of holiness lived during the person's life. If a sufficient amount of evidence is found, the cause proceeds to a recognized stage in Rome. Further investigations, including scrutiny of their writings and examination of miracles attributed to their intercession, are undertaken. The process culminates in a declaration by the Pope, officially proclaiming the person a saint, allowing public veneration of their life and example. Thus, sainthood is a formal recognition of a life lived in extraordinary virtue.