Pope Francis has cleared the way for the canonizations of three blesseds: an Armenian Catholic archbishop martyred during the Armenian genocide, a lay catechist from Papua New Guinea killed during World War II and a Venezuelan religious sister who dedicated her life to education and the poor.
In view of the canonization ceremony, the Congregation for Saints’ Causes has published a brief biography of each of the 10 new saints and information about the miracle attributed to their intercession needed for their canonizations.
At a ceremony in St. Peter’s Basilica March 12, 1622, Pope Gregory XV formally recognized the holiness of Sts. Teresa of Avila, Ignatius of Loyola, Isidore of Madrid (also known as Isidore the Farmer), Francis Xavier and Philip Neri.
Pope Francis approved the canonizations but said the date for the ceremony would have to be determined later.
Five banners are hung on the facade of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican of the Catholic Church’s soon to be canonized saints.
Hundreds of thousands of people around the world will celebrate when Pope Francis formally declares that Pope Paul VI and Archbishop Oscar Romero of San Salvador, El Salvador, are saints.
Pope Francis will preside over a consistory to approve several canonizations, the Vatican announced.
