Pope opens new path to sainthood
Pope Francis adds fourth path to beatification for those who risk their lives in a heroic act of loving service to others

A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
Thank you for signing up to TheWeek. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
For centuries, the consideration for sainthood in the Catholic Church necessitated martyrdom, living a life of heroic Christian values or having a strong reputation for religious devotion.
Pope Francis yesterday added a fourth path to sainthood to honour those who sacrifice their lives for others.
The new category opens the door to canonisation for people who freely offered their lives for another, like an expecting mother who chooses to die so her child survives or a person who fills the shoes of someone condemned to death, the Associated Press reports.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Candidates could include Christians who tended to sick people with the plague who later died, says the Osservatore Romano, the Vatican’s official journal. Or it may include someone like Chiara Corbella, a young Italian mother who missed her chemotherapy treatment for cancer to ensure her son survived, The Guardian reports citing the I-Media agency which specialises in reports on the Vatican.
The new pathway differs from martyrdom in that there are five criteria including that the person who sacrificed their life must also have performed a miracle, NPR reports. Miracles are usually the medically unexplained healing of someone, Reuters says.
Continue reading for free
We hope you're enjoying The Week's refreshingly open-minded journalism.
Subscribed to The Week? Register your account with the same email as your subscription.
Sign up to our 10 Things You Need to Know Today newsletter
A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
-
The week’s best photojournalism
In Pictures A steaming volcano, a giant crater and more
By Anahi Valenzuela Published
-
Texas and Yelp are suing each other over crisis pregnancy centers
Talking Point A battle over free speech and abortion rights heads to court
By Joel Mathis Published
-
Dianne Feinstein, history-making Democratic US senator, dies at 90
The Explainer Her colleagues celebrate her legacy as a trailblazer who cleared the path for other women to follow
By Theara Coleman Published
-
The Pope, the ‘false prophet’, and the battle for Argentina
feature Opinion has been split on whether the pontiff's intervention into politics in his home nation is appropriate
By Rebekah Evans Published
-
Pope Francis investigates Texas bishop, accepts early resignation of embattled Tennessee prelate
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Pope Francis is involved in 'mission' to bring peace to Ukraine
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Papal succession: the cardinals in the running to be the next pope
feature Current favourite from Philippines would represent changing demographic of the Church
By The Week Staff Published
-
Pope Francis hospitalized with respiratory infection
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Pope Francis updates sex abuse laws for Catholic Church
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Pope appeals for peace in final leg of African pilgrimage
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
South Sudan and the ‘Pilgrims of Peace’
feature LGBT rights likely to overshadow religious leaders’ visit to African nation
By Arion McNicoll Published