Pope Francis canonized 14 new saints, including the “martyrs of Damascus,” who were victims of religious persecution in Syria during the Ottoman Empire. The event took place in Saint Peter’s Square, drawing thousands of Catholic faithful from around the globe.
During the solemn ceremony, Pope Francis proclaimed, “We enrol them among the saints, decreeing that they are to be venerated as such by the whole Church,” after reciting each of the saints’ names. Canonization represents the Church’s final step toward recognizing individuals as saints and follows the process of beatification.
To achieve sainthood in the Catholic Church, candidates must meet three criteria, the most crucial being the confirmation of at least two miracles attributed to their intercession. Additionally, individuals must have passed away for at least five years and exemplified an exemplary Christian life.
Among those canonized, the group of 11 known as the “martyrs of Damascus” includes eight Franciscan friars and three lay Maronites—siblings from a monastery who were murdered by Druze militants in July 1860. Their tragic deaths occurred in the Syrian capital, which was then under Ottoman rule. The martyrs were beatified by Pope Pius XI in 1926, but their canonization marks a significant recognition of their sacrifice.
Damascus possesses one of the oldest Christian communities globally; however, its Christian population today is reported to have dwindled to approximately two percent, primarily due to the ongoing civil war in Syria that began in 2011. Many residents have fled the city amid the unrest, raising concerns over the future of the community.
In reference to the challenges faced by Christians in the Middle East today, Vatican News highlighted, “The martyrdom of the Damascus group canonized on Sunday is not very different from the situation of many Christians in the Middle East today.”
The other three canonized saints, who perished in the early 20th century, were also noted for their significant contributions to the Catholic faith. They include Italian missionary Giuseppe Allamano, Italian nun Elena Guerra, and Canadian Marie-Leonie Paradis.
Looking ahead, Pope Francis has announced plans to canonize Italian teenager Carlos Acutis, known for utilizing digital platforms to promote his faith. Acutis, who passed away from leukemia in 2006, is often referred to as “God’s Influencer.”
While no date for his canonization has been set, it is anticipated that it may coincide with the Church’s Jubilee year in 2025, which is expected to attract over 30 million pilgrims to Rome.
