Rome
The pope this week beatified a 19th-century nun who had detailed visions of Jews and Romans beating and denigrating Christ in his final hours. The writings of Sister Anna Katharina Emmerick helped inspire Mel Gibson’s film The Passion of the Christ. Also beatified was Austria-Hungary’s last emperor, Charles I, who, the pope said, “worked for peace.” Modern Austrian newspapers criticized that choice, noting that Charles’ troops used poison gas in World War I, and that the only miracle attributed to the king was the healing of a woman’s varicose veins. Beatification is a key step on the way to sainthood.
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
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
