Pope Leo XIV has approved decrees recognizing over 170 new martyrs. These individuals include those who died in Nazi concentration camps and during the Spanish Civil War. The Pope also recognized a miracle attributed to a Spanish priest, paving the way for his beatification. Additionally, the heroic virtues of several individuals from Brazil and Italy were acknowledged. This declaration marks a significant event for the Catholic Church.
16 days ago
Pope Leo XIV has declared 174 new martyrs, paving the way for future beatifications 2 3. The declaration, made on June 20, 2025, recognizes individuals who died for their faith during the Spanish Civil War and under Nazi persecution 2. In addition to the martyrs, the Pope recognized a miracle and several individuals for their heroic virtues 1 5.
The declaration includes 124 martyrs from the Spanish Civil War, all from the Diocese of Jaén, killed between 1936 and 1938 2 3. These martyrs include 109 diocesan priests, one religious sister, and 14 lay Catholics 2 3. Their deaths occurred amidst widespread anticlerical violence, fueled by anti-religious sentiment during the war 2 3. The Vatican has already recognized more than 2,000 martyrs from the Spanish Civil War 2 3.
Among the newly declared martyrs are 50 French Catholics who died in Nazi concentration camps during World War II 2 3. These individuals, including priests, religious, and lay members, were arrested for their ministry and resistance efforts under German occupation 2 3. Many died in camps like Buchenwald, Mauthausen, and Dachau, succumbing to typhus, tuberculosis, or execution 2 3. The Vatican considers their persecution rooted in "odium fidei," or hatred of the faith, viewing their actions as a direct affront to Nazi ideology 2 3.
Pope Leo XIV also recognized the heroic virtue of four individuals, declaring them venerable 2 3. These individuals are João Luiz Pozzobon, a Brazilian deacon and father; Anna Fulgida Bartolacelli, an Italian laywoman; Raffaele Mennella, a young Italian cleric; and Teresa Tambelli, an Italian Daughter of Charity 2 3. Pozzobon was known for his Marian devotion and founding the Schoenstatt Movement’s Pilgrim Mother Rosary Campaign 2 3. Bartolacelli, who suffered from dwarfism and rickets, dedicated her life to serving the sick 2 3.
A medical miracle that occurred in 2007 in a Rhode Island hospital has been attributed to the intercession of Father Salvador Valera Parra, a 19th-century Spanish priest 2 3. This recognition opens the path for his beatification 2 3. The miracle involved a premature infant who recovered inexplicably after the attending physician prayed for Fr. Parra's intercession 2 3. Fr. Parra was known for his charity and service to the poor, especially during epidemics and natural disasters 2 3 5.
What constitutes martyrdom according to Catholic Church teachings?
According to the teachings of the Catholic Church, martyrdom is the supreme witness given to the truth of the faith, involving bearing witness even unto death . It is a profound act of fidelity to God's law and a testament to the inviolability of human dignity .
Here's a breakdown of the key elements:
Witness to the Faith: A martyr bears witness to Christ, who died and rose, and to whom the martyr is united by charity . This witness extends to the truth of the faith and Christian doctrine .
Sacrifice of Life: Martyrdom involves consciously suffering a violent and premature death rather than denying one's faith . The sacrifice demonstrates that union with Christ is more precious than anything else .
Persecution: The killing is carried out by a persecutor motivated by hatred against the faith or a virtue connected to it .
Acceptance and Charity: The martyr displays an attitude of charity, patience, and meekness, imitating Jesus on the Cross . They resist retaliation, ending the spirit of vendetta and violence through forgiveness and love .
Moral Order: Martyrdom affirms the inviolability of the moral order, highlighting the holiness of God's law and the dignity of the human person created in God's image . It rejects any attempt to justify morally evil acts, even in exceptional circumstances .
Martyrdom is not only a testament to faith but also a sign of the holiness of the Church . It serves as a solemn proclamation and missionary commitment, ensuring that the splendor of moral truth remains undimmed in the behavior and thinking of individuals and society . The example of martyrs inspires believers and all people of goodwill to desire freedom, dignity, and peace .
While martyrdom represents the high point of witnessing to moral truth, all Christians are called to a consistent witness in their daily lives, even at the cost of suffering and sacrifice .