In Catholic teaching, a visionary is someone who experiences supernatural revelations, often contributing to evidence of holiness in a candidate for sainthood. These visions, if authentic, become a crucial part of the Church investigation into a potential saint's life. The process is rigorous, involving a lengthy examination of the individual's life, writings, and testimony from those who knew them. The visionary's experiences, if verified during this recognized stage, demonstrate exceptional spiritual gifts. This evidence of holiness, alongside other acts of piety and virtue, is carefully considered. Ultimately, a declaration by the Pope confirming the candidate's sanctity results from this comprehensive process, incorporating the visionary's role in the overall assessment.