Pope advances causes for canonization

(Vatican Radio) On Friday, Pope Francis received Cardinal Amato, prefect for the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints, in a private audience. During the audience the Holy Father authorized the Congregation to promulgate the decrees regarding the following persons:

The martyrdom of Servant of God Francesco Zirano, priest of the Order of Conventual Friars Minor (Franciscans). Born 1564 in Sassari, Italy, he was killed, in hatred of the faith, in Algiers, Algeria on 25 January 1603;

The martyrdom of Servant of God Paul Yun Ji-chung, layman, along with 123 companions. They were killed, in hatred of the faith, in Korea between 1791 and 1888;

The heroic virtue of Servant of God Jesus Maria Echavarría y Aguirre, Bishop of Saltillo, Mexico, founder of the Institute of Sisters Catechists of Guadalupe. Born in Real de San Pedro de Bacubirito, Mexico 6 July 1858, he died in Saltillo, Mexico on 5 April 1954.

The heroic virtue of Servant of God Faustino Ghilardi (given name: Guglielmo Giacomo), priest of the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans). Born in Pieve a Nievole, Italy on 6 May 1858, he died in San Vivaldo di Monaione, Italy on 25 October 1937.

The heroic virtue of Servant of God Maria Rocío of Jesus Crucified (given name: Maria Giuseppa Rodríguez Xuárez de la Guardia), a religious sister for the Congregation of Sisters of the Divine Love. Born in Colmenar, Spain on 16 May 1923, she died in Rome on 30 March 1956.