“The Saints are not supermen and neither are they perfect. They lived normal lives marked by sadness and joy, hardships and hopes, before reaching the glory of heaven.”
Pope Francis canonized 14 new saints on Sunday, including the “martyrs of Damascus”, who were killed in Syria during the Ottoman Empire. This event took place in Saint Peter’s Square with thousands of Catholics present.
Canonization is the process that formally declares someone a saint in the Catholic Church. It requires that the person has performed at least two miracles, has been deceased for at least five years, and has led a life of exemplary Christian virtue.
POPE’S REMARK
During a Mass on October 20, he emphasized that true greatness lies in serving others rather than seeking power. In his message, he highlighted the lives of these new saints as examples of selfless service and love, stressing that Jesus calls us to follow his example of humility and compassion.
The Pope remarked that serving others is a Christian way of life, not just a checklist of tasks. He urged the faithful to support missionaries and to be courageous witnesses of the Gospel in their everyday lives. He also called for prayers for those suffering from conflict around the world and appealed for the protection of indigenous people in the Amazon region, including their fundamental rights against every kind of exploitation of their dignity and their territories.
THE NEW SAINTS
Among the newly canonized, 11 are the “martyrs of Damascus”, eight Franciscan friars, and three lay Maronites, who were murdered in 1860 by Druze militants in Damascus. They were previously beatified in 1926.
Damascus has one of the oldest Christian communities, but the Christian population has dramatically decreased to about two percent today, particularly due to the civil war that began in 2011. The Vatican noted that the plight of these martyrs reflects the challenges many Christians face in the Middle East today.
Additionally, Pope Francis announced plans to canonize Italian teenager Carlos Acutis, known for sharing his faith online, potentially in 2025 during the Church’s Jubilee year, which is expected to attract millions of pilgrims to Rome.
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