Pope paves way for canonization of Sri Lanka's 1st saint




Pope Francis has cleared that way for the canonization of Sri Lanka's first saint.

The Congregation for the Causes of Saints stated that the Pope had approved a vote by the Ordinary Session of Cardinals and Bishops in favor of canonizing Blessed Joseph Vaz.

For the second time in his papacy, Pope Francis bypassed the second miracle required by candidates for canonization. The only other time the Pope has done this was for the canonization of Pope St. John XXIII.

Blessed Joseph Vaz was born in Goa, India in 1651. He spent most of his life as a missionary in Sri Lanka, ministering to the faithful during the Calvinist persecution.

He was beatified on January 21st, 1995 by St. John Paul II during his Apostolic visit to Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Pope Francis is expected to declare Blessed Vaz a saint during his visit to Sri Lanka in January.
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