Pope Sends Greetings for Beatifications

Cardinal José Saraiva Martins, prefect of the Vatican Congregation for Sainthood Causes, presided over the beatification Mass today in the Jalisco Stadium of Guadalajara.

In his address at the midday Angelus at the Vatican, hours before the beatification Mass started across the ocean, the Pope greeted "my brother bishops of Mexico, the priests, men and women religious and faithful taking part in the beatification of the martyrs in the Archdiocese of Guadalajara."

Of the 13 martyrs, three were priests and 10 laymen, including a 14-year-old, José Sánchez del Río.

"On this solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, whom they invoked in the supreme moment of surrendering their lives," the Holy Father said, "they are for us a permanent example and stimulation to give a coherent testimony of our own faith in present-day society."