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.