Canonization in the Catholic Church is the official process by which the Church declares a deceased person to be a saint, upon the recognition of their holiness and intercessory power. It is the final step in a process that also includes stages such as Servant of God, Venerable, and Blessed. Canonization confirms that a person is in Heaven and can be universally venerated by the faithful.
This process involves careful examination of the person's life, teachings, and often, attributed miracles. Canon law requires that miracles occur through the intercession of the candidate for canonization, usually posthumously, which are then rigorously investigated. The miracles serve as divine confirmation of the person's sainthood.
Once canonized, the person is added to the "canon" (official list) of saints, and they can be publicly invoked and venerated throughout the universal Church, unlike beatification, after which the person is referred to as "Blessed" and their veneration is typically restricted to specific locations or groups.