Pope Francis advances eight sainthood causes, including St. Gianna Beretta Molla’s brother

Pope Francis advances eight sainthood causes, including St. Gianna Beretta Molla’s brother

In a significant move, Pope Francis has advanced eight sainthood causes, including the cause of St. Gianna Beretta Molla’s brother, Capuchin Father Alberto Beretta. Father Beretta, a physician like his famous sister, died in 2001 and was a missionary in Brazil for 20 years before returning to Italy due to health issues.

The pope signed a decree recognizing Father Beretta’s heroic Christian virtues, paving the way for his potential beatification pending a miracle attributed to his intercession. Additionally, two miracles needed for beatifications were also recognized: one for Mexican Missionary of the Holy Spirit Father Moisés Lira Serafín and another for Spanish Discalced Carmelite Sister Ana de Lobera Torres.

Furthermore, the pope signed decrees acknowledging the martyrdom of five individuals, including two Xaverian Missionary priests, a Xaverian missionary brother, and a diocesan priest in Congo in 1964. The fifth martyrdom recognized was that of Ján Havlík, a Vincentian seminarian in Slovakia in the 1950s and ’60s.

The pope also recognized the heroic Christian virtue of Ernesto Guglielmo Cofiño Ubico, a Guatemalan pediatrician and member of Opus Dei, and Francesca Lancellotti, a generous wife and mother known for her spiritual counsel to the poor.

These advancements in sainthood causes highlight the diverse and inspiring lives of individuals who have lived out their faith in extraordinary ways, serving as examples for Catholics around the world.