Martyrdom

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A Romanian stamp featuring Bishop Iuliu Hossu of the Romanian Diocese of Cluj-Gherla, who was among the seven bishops whose martyrdom was recognized by the pope March 19, 2019. Public domain.

Seven 20th-century Romanian bishops declared martyrs

Mar 19, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis declared Tuesday the martyrdom of seven Greek-Catholic bishops killed by the communist regime in Romania in the mid-20th... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Midnight Mass for Christmas Dec. 24, 2017.

Jesus' coming is an invitation to conversion, Pope Francis says

Dec 26, 2017

By Elise Harris

On Tuesday Pope Francis said there is a strong link between the death of St. Stephan, the Church's first martyr,... Read more

Sixty Vincentians martyred during Spanish Civil War to be beatified

Nov 4, 2017

Next Saturday 60 members of the Vincentian Order who were martyred during the Spanish Civil War will be beatified at... Read more

Ukrainian priest.

In a grandmother’s dress, the hidden story of a Ukrainian priest’s martyrdom

Sep 28, 2017

By Kevin J. Jones

Dr. George Isajiw, the grandson of a slain Ukrainian priest, always knew that his grandfather was martyred by the Soviet... Read more

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims during his April 26, 2017 general audience in St. Peter's Square.

Remember the witness of your martyrs, Pope tells Japanese bishops

Sep 18, 2017

By Elise Harris

In a letter to Japanese bishops, Pope Francis urges his brother prelates to use the example of their country's martyrs... Read more

Pope Benedict XVI on Aug. 28, 2010.

Here's what Benedict XVI's former students will discuss next month

Aug 30, 2017

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The persecution and martyrdom of Christians will be the topic of discussion at an annual gathering of Pope Benedict XVI’s... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square June 17, 2015.

Pope Francis: The way of Christ is the way of persecution

Jun 28, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Wednesday Pope Francis said that following Christ means taking a path contrary to that of the world, and being... Read more

Venerable Teofilius Matulionis, who was martyred Aug. 20, 1962, and who will be beatified June 25.

Lithuania's first Soviet-era martyr to be beatified

Jun 13, 2017

A Soviet-era priest and bishop who continually defied communist rule and spent much of his ministry in prison will be... Read more

Father Ragheed Aziz Ganni, who was killed for the faith June 3, 2007 in Mosul, is seen with a group of young adults. Photo courtesy of Aid to the Church in Need.

This priest and three companions were killed for the faith in Iraq

Jun 9, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

When Fr. Ragheed Aziz Ganni was confronted by armed men after celebrating the Eucharist at his Chaldean Catholic parish in... Read more

 Archbishop Oscaro Romero with young people in El Salvador in this undated file photo. Photo courtesy of Arzobispado de San Salvador/Oficina de la Causa de Canonizacion.

The murder case of Blessed Oscar Romero has been reopened

May 19, 2017

A nearly 40 year-old murder case was reopened this week to properly prosecute the suspected killer behind the Salvadorian archbishop's... Read more

Pope Francis 1 at The Liturgy of the Lord's Passion at St. Peter's Basilica on April 3, 2015.

Modern martyrs exemplify true Christian unity, Pope says

Jan 27, 2017

By Elise Harris

In a speech to Catholic and Oriental Orthodox leaders, Pope Francis pointed, as he often does, to the example of... Read more

Fr. Stanley Rother.

Father Stanley Rother: The first US-born martyr

Dec 2, 2016

Pope Francis has recognized the martyrdom of Father Stanley Rother, a priest of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City who served... Read more

Pope Francis poses with Archbishop Dominique Lebrun and other pilgrims from Rouen at the General Audience in St. Peter's Square, Sept. 14, 2016.

Pope Francis calls murdered French priest blessed

Sep 14, 2016

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Wednesday Pope Francis said Fr. Jacques Hamel, who was killed by supporters of the Islamic State while saying Mass... Read more

Fr. Jacques Hamel, who was killed while saying Mass by Islamic State terrorists July 26, 2016.

Campaign will help 1,000 seminarians in honor of murdered French priest

Aug 10, 2016

A Catholic charity is launching a campaign to support the studies of 1,000 seminarians around the world in honor of... Read more

Pope Francis in the Consistory Hall of the Apostolic Palace together with cardinals, June 27, 2015.

This layman who refuted Nazism was declared a martyr by Pope Francis

Jul 8, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Friday Pope Francis moved eight martyrs a step further on the path to sainthood, one of whom is Josef... Read more

Pope Francis at the Jubilee Audience in St. Peter's Square honoring members of the police, firemen, and armed forces on April 30, 2016.

Christian persecution extends beyond genocide, Pope says

Jun 18, 2016

By Ann Schneible

In a wide-ranging question and answer session on Saturday, Pope Francis said it is “reductionism” to describe the violence against... Read more

Pope Francis says Mass at the chapel of Santa Marta house in the Vatican, April 11, 2016.

Persecution of Christians can have a polite disguise, Pope Francis warns

Apr 12, 2016

Pope Francis on Tuesday reflected on the “polite persecution” of Christians that takes away their freedom in the disguise of... Read more

Pope Francis prays with journalists on the papal flight en route to South Korea on Aug. 14, 2014.

Pope: murdered Missionaries of Charity are martyrs of indifference

Mar 6, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Sunday Pope Francis lamented the world’s indifference to the recent killing of four Missionaries of Charity, calling them the... Read more

Pope Francis during the Liturgy of the Lord's Passion at St. Peter's Basilica on April 3, 2015.

For Pope Francis, unity of martyrdom is stronger than Christian divisions

Nov 5, 2015

By Elise Harris

Despite the numerous divisions among Christians today, the followers of Christ are powerfully united in the witness of martyrdom across... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square 1 before the Wednesday general audience on April 22 2015.

Pope Francis: Get ready to be martyrs – even in the little things

May 11, 2015

By Ann Schneible

Pope Francis centered his homily for Monday's daily Mass on the “scandal of the cross,” saying Christians should turn to... Read more