Pope Francis Canonized Almost 1000 Saints During His Papacy - Here's Some of Them
Pope Francis will celebrate his 10th anniversary as Pope on March 13, 2023.
As we celebrate this anniversary, let us contemplate his legacy by remembering the saints he canonized. Pope Francis has canonized 911 saints thus far.
Here’s some of them:
1) Martyrs of Otranto
Of the 911 saints, the Martyrs of Otranto make up 813 of them – the first saints Pope Francis canonized during his papacy on May 12, 2013.
The Ottoman army killed these saints in 1480.
Antonio Pezzulla (called Primaldo), along with 800 fisherman, artisans, shepherds, and farmers were beheaded for refusing to convert to Islam.
It is said that Antonio Pezzulla declared, “Now it is time for us to fight to save our souls for the Lord. And since he died on the cross for us, it is fitting that we should die for him.”
Here’s a video explaining their story:
2) Pope St. John Paul II
Pope Francis canonized Pope St. John Paul II on April 27, 2014.
Pope St. John Paul II had one of the longest pontificates in the history of the Church. Learn more about his life here.
3) Pope St. John XXIII
Pope Francis canonized Pope St. John XXIII on April 27, 2014 – the same day he canonized Pope St. John Paul II. Pope St. John XXIII, also “The Good Pope,” is best known for convening the Second Vatican Council.
4) St. Junípero Serra
Pope Francis canonized St. Junípero Serra on Sept. 23, 2015. This Franciscan Friar is considered the “Apostle of California” after founding nine of the 21 Catholic California missions.
Learn more about St. Junípero Serra’s life here.
5) Sts. Louis & Zelie Martin (parents of St. Therese of Lisieux)
Pope Francis canonized Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin on Oct. 18, 2015. They are the first married couple to ever be canonized in the same ceremony.
6) Sts. Francisco & Jacinta Marto
Sts. Francisco and Jacinta Marto were two of the three seers of Our Lady of Fatima in 1917.
In 1979, 300 bishops signed a petition to St. John Paul II, saying Francisco and Jacinta “were known, admired and attracted people to the way of sanctity. Favors were received through their intercession.”
They added that “the children’s canonization was a pastoral necessity for the children and teenagers of today.”
Pope Francis canonized Sts. Francisco and Jacinta Marto on May 13, 2017 at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary in Fátima, Portugal.
7) St. Elisabeth Hesselblad
St. Elisabeth Hesselblad was a Swedish nun who helped hide Jews from the Nazis during World War II. Some of those she saved lived to see Pope Francis canonize her on June 5, 2016.
Read more about her story here.
8) Pope St. Paul VI
Pope Francis canonized Pope St. Paul VI on Sun., Oct. 14, 2018.
Born Giovanni Battista Montini in Italy in 1897, Pope Paul VI was pope from 1963-1978.
Closing the Second Vatican Council was his primary task in 1965. He also wrote the famous encyclical, Humanae Vitae, or, Of Human Life, in July 1968.
9) St. Oscar Romero
Born in El Salvador in 1917, Oscar Romero was the Archbishop of San Salvador.
He is known for his speeches against all war, guerrilla and oppression against the people of God. He condemned all violence resulting from politics.
Archbishop Romero was killed in 1980 by a sniper while celebrating Mass in the Chapel of the Divine Providence Hospital, just moments before the consecration.
Pope Francis canonized St. Oscar Romero on Sun., Oct. 14, 2018.
10) St. Vincent Romano
St. Vincent Romano, born in 1751, was an Italian diocesan priest and pastor in Naples Italy.
The ministry of the word and the gospel of charity were the pillars of his Christian activity. He worked tirelessly helping the poor and sick. He is also well-known for rebuilding his church in Naples after the eruption of the Mt. Vesuvius in 1794.
Pope Francis canonized St. Vincent Romano on Sun., Oct. 14, 2018.
11) St. Francesco Spinelli
Blessed Francesco Spinelli was born in Milan, Italy in 1853. He dedicated his life in service to the poor, was a spiritual director, and a seminary professor.
He co-founded the Sisters Adorers of the Blessed Sacrament, who dedicate their lives to Eucharistic Adoration.
Pope Francis also canonized him on Sun., Oct. 14, 2018.
12) St. Nunzio Sulprizio
Nunzio Sulprizio was born in Naples, Italy in 1817 and was only a teenager when he died.
This saint suffered immensely throughout his life.
He was orphaned at age 6. His uncle abused him as a child, beating, starving, and sending him on dangerous assignments.
His leg was also infected by decay and his body had constant fatigue. Eventually, he lost his leg through bone cancer.
Even so, he never complained and offered his pain and loneliness to the Lord. He always spoke about him and about his compassion. He died in 1836, at 19 years old.
Pope Francis canonized St. Nunzio Sulprizio on Sun., Oct. 14, 2018.
13) St. Nazaria Ignacia March Mesa
Beatified by St. Pope John Paul II in 1992, this saint is also known as Nazaria Ignacia of Saint Teresa of Jesus.
She was born in Madrid in 1889.
Her family later moved moved to Mexico for economic reasons where she entered Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Abandoned Elderly at age 19.
Ignacia later left this congregation and founded the Missionaries of the Crusade in 1926. She died in 1943 in Argentina as a result of hemoptysis.
St. Pope John Paul II also confirmed her heroic virtue. Her remains lay in Oruro, Bolivia. Pope Francis canonized her on Sun., Oct. 14, 2018.
14) St. María Catalina Kasper
St. María Catalina Kasper was born in Germany in 1820 and was daughter of humble peasants. She founded The Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, which is a religious congregation dedicated to serving the poor.
Maria died of a heart attack in 1898.
Pope Francis canonized her on Sun., Oct. 14, 2018.
15) St. Anna Maria Rubatto
Born Feb. 14, 1844, María Francesca Rubatto was an Italian nun and foundress of the Capuchin Sisters of Mother Rubatto. She opened 18 of these Capuchin homes within a 20-year time period. She is known her exemplary acts of charity towards the ill and infirm.
St. Maria died of natural causes on Aug. 4, 1904 at age 59.
Pope St. John Paul II beatified her in 1993, and Pope Francis canonized her on May 15, 2022. Her feast day is Aug. 6.
16) St. Carolina Santocanale
Born on Oct. 2, 1852, St. Carolina Santocanale was also an Italian nun. She gave herself the name “Maria of Jesus” when she founded the Capuchin Sisters of the Immaculata of Lourdes.
The nun came from a family of nobility. She received a very holy upbringing, especially through her mother’s influence, resulting in great interest in her faith from a very young age.
St. Carolina was also known for her exceptional works of charity for the poor and ill. She died on Jan. 27, 1923 at age 70.
Pope Francis canonized her on May 15, 2022. Her feast day is Jan. 27.
17) St. John Henry Newman
Pope Francis canonized St. John Henry Newman on Oct. 13, 2019. St. John Henry Newman was first an Anglican priest, and converted to Catholicism. He was also a preacher, writer, and theologian.
Here’s a video about his life:
18) St. César de Bus
Born Feb. 3, 1544, St. César de Bus was a French Catholic priest who founded two religious congregations: the Christian Doctrine Fathers and the Daughters of Christian Doctrine.
He is especially known for his work in catechetics, instructing communities where catechesis may not otherwise have been available.
St. César died on April 15, 1607. Pope Paul VI beatified him in 1975, and Pope Francis canonized him on May 15, 2022. His feast is April 15.
19) St. Charles de Foucauld
Born Sept. 15, 1858, St. Charles de Foucauld was a calvary officer in the French army, a hermit, and a priest. The Church considers him a martyr, and he is known as the “Mystic of the Desert.”
He was assassinated in 1916 at age 58. Pope Benedict XVI beatified him in 2005, and Pope Francis canonized him on May 15, 2022. His feast is Dec. 1.
20) St. Devasahayam Pillai
Born April 23, 1812, St. Devasahayam Pillai is the first lay Indian martyred and beatified. He was killed at the age of 39 after upholding his Christian faith as an official in the court of the King of Travancore.
Pope Benedict XVI beatified him in 2012, and Pope Francis canonized him on May 15, 2022. His feast is Jan. 14.
21) St. Justin Russolillo
Born Jan. 18, 1891, St. Father Justin Russolillo was an Italian priest who founded the Society of Divine Vocations. He dedicated his life to promoting and educating young people about religious vocations and following God’s call in life.
He died on Aug. 2, 1955 at age 64. Pope Benedict XVI beatified St. Justin in 2011. Pope Francis canonized him on May 15, 2022. His feast is Aug. 2.
22) St. Maria Domenica Mantovani
Born in 1862, St. Maria Domenica Mantovani was an Italian nun and the co-foundress of the Little Sisters of the Holy Family.
She dedicated her life to helping the poor, ill, and elderly. She entrusted herself to the Holy Family and to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
She died at age 71 on Feb. 2, 1934. Pope St. John Paul II beatified her in 2003, and Pope Francis canonized her on May 15, 2022. Her feast is Feb. 2.
23) St. Luigi Maria Palazzolo
St. Luigi Maria Palazzol was an Italian priest and founded The Sisters of the Poor, or the Palazzolo Institute.
This incredible priest dedicated his life to serving neglected children, opening several orphanages.
He died murmuring the name of Jesus on June 15, 1886 at age 58. St. John XXIII beatified him in 1963 and Pope Francis canonized him on May 15, 2022. His feast is June 15.
24) St. Anne-Marie Rivier
Born in 1768, St. Anne-Marie Rivier was a French nun and the foundress of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary.
She was dropped as a child, causing her to become handicapped. She opened her congregation prior to the French Revolution, even amid persecution. She focused on child education.
St. Anne-Marie died in 1838 at age 68. Pope St. John Paul II beatified her in 1982, and Pope Francis canonized her on May 15, 2022. Her feast is Feb. 3.
25) Titus Brandsma
Born in 1881, St. Titus Brandsma was a Dutch Carmelite friar, priest, and martyr.
For opposing the Nazi ideology, they murdered him in the Dachau concentration camp in 1942 at age 61. Pope St. John Paul II beatified him in 1985, and Pope Francis canonized him on May 15, 2022. His feast is July 27.
All you holy saints of God, please pray for us!
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[See also: How to Date in Holiness: Pope Francis’ Advice for Successful Catholic Courtships]
[See also: The Boy Who Surprised an Entire Stadium During Pope Francis’ Visit to DR Congo]