The Vatican announced today that Pope Benedict XVI has promulgated a decree regarding a miracle attributed to the intercession of Cardinal Newman.

The statement read:

Today, 3rd July 2009, the Holy Father, Benedict XVI, received in private audience H.E. Mons. Angelo Amato, S.D.B., prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. In the course of the audience, the Holy Father authorized the congregation to promulgate the decrees regarding ... a miracle, attributed to the intercession of the Venerable Servant of God, John Henry Newman, cardinal and founder of the Oratorians of St. Philip Neri in England; born in London (England) 21 April 1801 and died in Edgbaston (England) 11 August 1890.

Our Rome correspondent Edward Pentin points out the decree is not unexpected, in light of what he and other Vatican journalists have reported in recent months about the progress of the famous 19th-century English cardinal’s cause. With the decree regarding a miracle now promulgated, the way is now clear for Cardinal Newman’s beatification.