For centuries, the consideration for sainthood in the Catholic Church necessitated martyrdom, living a life of heroic Christian values or having a strong reputation for religious devotion.
Pope Francis yesterday added a fourth path to sainthood to honour those who sacrifice their lives for others.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
'Criminal trail?'Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
-
Grindr 'shared user HIV status' with ad firms, lawsuit claimsSpeed Read LGBTQ dating app accused of breaching UK data protection laws in case filed at London's High Court
-
The best dog-friendly hotels around the UKThe Week Recommends Take a break with your four-legged friend in accommodation that offers you both a warm welcome
-
Modi opens contentious Ram temple at one of India's 'most vexed religious sites'Talking Point Indian PM kicks off re-election campaign by affirming Hindu nationalism, while Muslim minority feel pain of history and threat of future
-
The potential consequences of Pope Francis' call for a ban on surrogacyTalking Point Francis called the practice 'despicable' and a 'commercialization' of pregnancy
-
The Vatican's same-sex blessing approval: What is Pope Francis doing?Today's Big Question The pope rocked the Catholic world by giving the green light to blessing same-sex couples, with plenty of caveats
-
The Vatican half-embraces transgender Catholic godparents, wedding witnessesUnder the Radar Pope Francis signed off on a series of clarifications about the roles LGBTQ Catholics can play in the church, with ample theological fine print
-
The Pope, the ‘false prophet’, and the battle for Argentinafeature Opinion has been split on whether the pontiff's intervention into politics in his home nation is appropriate
-
Pope Francis investigates Texas bishop, accepts early resignation of embattled Tennessee prelateSpeed Read
-
Pope Francis is involved in 'mission' to bring peace to UkraineSpeed Read
-
Papal succession: the cardinals in the running to be the next popefeature Current favourite from Philippines would represent changing demographic of the Church
