Pope Benedict put a popular Sicilian priest who was killed by the Mafia in 1993 on the fast track toward sainthood in the Roman Catholic Church last Saturday. The Vatican said the Pope had signed a decree recognising that Father Pino Puglisi had been killed "in hatred of the faith", meaning that he can be beatified – the last step before sainthood – without a miracle being attributed to his intercession with God.
Father Puglisi, who had delivered many sermons against the Mafia, was shot dead outside his home in Palermo at a time when there were many Mafia killings in the city.
Six mafiosi were sentenced to life in prison for the murder.
Father Puglisi, who had delivered many sermons against the Mafia, was shot dead outside his home in Palermo at a time when there were many Mafia killings in the city.
Six mafiosi were sentenced to life in prison for the murder.