His Holiness Pope Francis cleared the way for the sainthood of renowned English Cardinal John Henry Newman and an Indian nun, and brought 6 others a step closer to canonization. The Pontiff received in audience Cardinal Angelo Becciu, the Prefect of the Vatican Congregation for the Causes of Saints and authorized him to promulgated two decrees on miracles for sainthood, a decree on martyrdom and 5 on heroic virtues.
A miracle attributed to the intercession of Cardinal Newman has been recognized clearing him for canonization. He is revered by both the Catholic as well as the Anglican Churches. As a Catholic priest, he founded the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in Edgbaston, England. His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI beatified Cardinal Newman on 19 September 2010, in Birmingham, England. His Holiness Pope Francis recognized another miracle, clearing the way for the canonization of Indian nun, Blessed Mariam Thresia Chiramel Mankidiyan, the foundress of the Congregation of the Holy Family (CHF).
The nun belonging to the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church was born in Puthenchira on 26 April 1876 and died in Kuzhikkattussery on 8 June 1926. She is known for her extraordinary charity, especially a preferential love for the poorest of the poor. She was declared venerable on 28 June 1999 and was beatified on 9 April 2000 by Pope St. John Paul II in Rome.
