During the two years of his pontificate, Pope Francis beatified 677 people and canonized 829 saints. It will increase to 830 when the Spanish missionary Junipero Serra is beatified during the Pope's trip to the U.S. in September.
The most anticipated canonizations were those of Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII on April 27, 2014.
POPE FRANCIS
April 27, 2014
'They were priests, bishops and popes of the twentieth century. They felt tragedy but were not overwhelmed. God was stronger in them.'
Among the other beatification highlights: Pope Paul VI in October 2014. Pope Francis cites the pontiff often.
POPE FRANCIS
October 19, 2014
'When we look to this great Pope, this courageous Christian, this tireless apostle, we cannot but say in the sight of God a word as simple as it is heartfelt and important: thank you!â?.
The first blessed to be proclaimed during Pope Francis' pontificate was another Spaniard, Cristobal of Saint Catherine. The next will be the Archbishop of San Salvador, Oscar Romero, who was assassinated on March 24, 1980.
MSGR. JESUS DELGADO
Secretary of Msgr. Oscar Romero
'Pope Francis sees Romero as a faithful witness of the Second Vatican Council. He implemented the pastoral changes that the Council wanted. Monsignor Romero knew how to interpret the hearts of his people. He knew how to interpret the longing for justice that they had. He knew, above all, how to break the silence.'
The latter was one of the most complicated processes in recent years. Even some within the Vatican warned that the Salvadoran bishop was a strong advocate of liberation theology rather than a strong advocate of the people.
MSGR. JESUS DELGADO
Secretary of Msgr. Oscar Romero
'Liberation theology is intellectuals who have made their interpretations believing that they speak in the name of the people. No. They are two very different things. Msgr. Romero was able to interpret people's faith, devotion. That's why they called him the voice of the voiceless. He assumed the voice of the voiceless. He broke the silence. And this is the first major sin of Romero for politicians: having given a voice to the poor. That was the first great sin he committed for which he was signed off for death.'
The beatification of í?scar Romero will take place on May 23. The ceremony will not be led by Pope Francis, however. That's because Pope Benedict XVI revived the custom that the celebration be organized in the diocese of the new blessed.
Pope Francis only presides over beatification rites in some cases. He did so on during trips to Korea and Sri Lanka, two countries where Catholics are a minority.
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