The pope approved the decision of the
Congregation for the Causes of Saints concerning the recognition of a
miracle attributed to the intercession
of John Paul II and the votes by the same body sitting in a regular
session in favour of the canonisation of Blessed John XXIII. The two canonisations will be decided in a consistory announced by Francis for that purpose.
In addition to the expected favourable vote to the canonisation of two popes, the Vatican also announced that Pope Francis decided in favour of a number of beatifications in recognition of miracles attributed, among others, to Álvaro del Portillo y Diez de Sollano and to Maria Josefa Alhama Valera.
He also recognised the heroic virtues of Giuseppe Lazzati.
Bishop del Portillo was born in Madrid (Spain) on 11 March 1914, and served as prelate of the Prelature of the Holy Cross and Opus Dei. He died in Rome on 23 March 1994.
Known as Mother Esperanza, Maria Josefa Alhama Valera founded the Handmaids of Merciful Love and the Sons of Merciful Love. Born in Santomera (Spain) on 29September 1893, she died in Collevalenza (Italy) on 8 February 1983.
Giuseppe Lazzati, the famed rector of Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, was a man of heroic virtues.
A consecrated layperson, he was born in Milan (Italy) on 22 June 1909 and died in his native city on 18 May 1986.