Pope Francis canonizes 14 new Saints, including 11 martyrs from Syria

In a solemn ceremony held on St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Sunday, Pope Francis elevated 14 new figures of the Church to sainthood. Among them were 11 martyrs from Damascus, who were killed in July 1860 in Syria, under the rule of the Ottoman Empire, and have since become symbols of Christian persecution.

The canonization—the final step toward sainthood in the Catholic Church, following beatification—requires three main conditions: the individual must have died at least five years prior, led a life of exemplary Christian virtue, and performed at least two miracles.

The Martyrs of Damascus: Symbols of Christian Persecution

The newly canonized include the 11 Martyrs of Damascus, who were killed in 1860 by a group of Druze Muslims in the monastery of a Christian quarter of the Syrian capital. This event occurred amid widespread persecution of Christians by the Druze, spreading from Lebanon to Syria, and claiming thousands of Christian lives. The martyrs were made up of eight Franciscans and three Maronite laymen, known as the Massabki brothers.

These martyrs were beatified in 1926 by Pope Pius XI, and their martyrdom was once again recognized through this canonization. According to Vatican News, the Vatican’s official media, their martyrdom is set against a backdrop of organized persecution of Christians under the Ottoman Empire.

The canonization ceremony, attended by thousands of faithful from around the world, also saw participation from official representatives of countries involved, including Lebanon and Syria, highlighting the significance of this event for the global Christian community.

This canonization honors the deep faith and courage of the martyrs, serving as a source of inspiration for today’s Christians facing trials.