Pope Francis has issued a decree paving the way for the canonization of two of the Fatima visionaries, brother and sister Francesco and Jacinta Marto. While an official date has not yet been released by the Vatican, Italian media reports suggest the pope may canonize the two shepherd children during his May 12-13 visit to Fatima, to mark the 100th anniversary of the Marian apparitions. The announcement came this morning, after the pope met with Cardinal Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints, and authorized the congregation to promulgate the miracle attributed to the intercession of the two shepherd children of Fatima. Francisco and Jacinta will be numbered among the youngest saints in the history of the Church. As today’s decree attests, a single miracle has been attributed to the intercession of Franciso and Jacinta. This was the also case in 2000, when Pope John Paul II beatified the brother and sister: although initially two distinct causes had been opened, only one miracle — attributed to their joint intercession — was required for their beatification.
Pope Francis to declare two children of Fatima saints
Deacon Greg Kandra - published on 03/23/17
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