Pope Francis Canonizes 14 New Saints, Including Martyrs of Damascus
In a significant move, Pope Francis has created a new group of saints, canonizing 14 individuals who demonstrated exceptional devotion to their faith. The canonization ceremony, which took place on Sunday in Saint Peter’s Square, honored the lives of individuals who were martyred in Syria during the Ottoman Empire, as well as others who founded religious communities.
Among the newly canonized saints are 11 individuals known as the "martyrs of Damascus," who were killed in 1860 for their Christian faith. The group, consisting of eight Franciscan friars and three lay Maronites, all siblings, were assassinated by Druze militants in the Syrian capital. Their beatification was approved by Pope Pius XI in 1926, and they have now been formally recognized as saints by the Catholic Church.
Speaking during the ceremony, Pope Francis said, "We enrol them among the saints, decreeing that they are to be venerated as such by the whole Church." He emphasized the significance of their martyrdom, which occurred over 160 years ago, but remains relevant today. The Vatican News noted that the martyrdom of the Damascus group "is not very different from the situation of many Christians in the Middle East today."
The canonization of the "martyrs of Damascus" highlights the enduring legacy of Christianity in Syria, which is home to one of the oldest Christian communities in the world. However, the country’s Christian population has dwindled significantly, with only about two percent of the population identifying as Christian today.
In addition to the "martyrs of Damascus," the newly canonized saints include Italian missionary Giuseppe Allamano, Italian nun Elena Guerra, and Canadian Marie-Leonie Paradis, all of whom founded religious communities in the early 20th century.
This move by Pope Francis comes as the Catholic Church prepares for its Jubilee year in 2025, which is expected to attract over 30 million pilgrims to Rome. The Pope also announced plans to canonize Italian teenager Carlos Acutis, who spent his life spreading his faith online before dying from leukemia in 2006.
The canonization ceremony, attended by thousands of Catholic faithful from around the world, was a significant moment in the life of the Church, as it recognized the extraordinary devotion and sacrifice of these 14 individuals. As the Catholic Church continues to evolve and grow, the legacy of these new saints serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring power of faith and the importance of standing up for one’s beliefs, even in the face of adversity.
