Osama Bin Laden's Death is John Paul's Miracle, Peruvian Prez Says

Peruvian President Alan Garcia says Pope John Paul II should get credit for the death of Osama bin Laden.

The late pope was beatified on Sunday and Garcia says: "His first miracle was to remove from the world the incarnation of evil, the demonic incarnation of crime and hatred, giving us the news that the person who blew up towers and buildings is no longer."

Garcia made the comment Monday during a press conference.

Garcia says bin Laden's death also vindicates President George W. Bush's decision "to punish bin Laden and patiently continue this work that has borne fruit."

Beatification is the first major milestone on the path to possible sainthood, one of the Catholic Church's highest honors. A two miracles attributed to John Paul's intercession is needed for him to be canonized.

Based on reporting by the Associated Press.