Pope Francis presided over a mass in St. Peter’s Square on 20 October, canonizing 14 new saints. Thousands of faithful attended the ceremony, including relatives of the new saints and pilgrims from various countries.
The newly canonized saints include Italian priest Giuseppe Allamano, Italian Sister Elena Guerra, Canadian Sister Marie-Léonie Paradis, and 11 martyrs killed for their faith in Damascus, among whom were 7 Spanish friars.
In his homily, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of service, citing the Gospel of St. Mark. He stressed that Jesus’ style is service, and that true greatness comes from serving others. The Pope also highlighted the significance of learning from Jesus and following his footsteps.
The 11 new martyr saints were killed for refusing to renounce their Christian faith and convert to Islam. They include Manuel Ruiz Lopez and 7 fellow friars, along with Francisco, Mooti, and Raffaele Massabki.
Before concluding the celebration, Pope Francis called for prayers for the “martyred” Palestine and expressed concern for the Yanomami people in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest. He also marked World Mission Day, emphasizing the importance of sharing the invitation to a festive encounter with the Lord.
The canonization of the 14 new saints serves as a reminder of the power of faith, service, and love. Their testimonies inspire us to follow Jesus’ example and live a life of service to other.