Pope Benedict's Christmas Gift to the World
In a series of decrees issued Saturday, the Vatican approved miracles allowing for the canonization of five people, the beatification of five others, and proclaiming 10 other candidates as living lives of “heroic virtue.”
Among the last group were Pope Pius XII and Pope John Paul II. In addition, Blessed Andre Bessette of Canada, and Blessed Mary MacKillop of Australia, are now eligible for canonization.
Here are the official lists.
Five candidates now qualified for canonization:
• Bl. Stanislaus Soltys (Kazimierczyk) (1433-89), whose liturgical cult was formally recognized by Pope John Paul in 1993
• Bl. André Bessette (1845-1937), a Canadian renowned for his devotion to St. Joseph who developed a reputation as a miracle worker in his lifetime
• Bl. Mary MacKillop (1842-1909), who founded the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart and will become Australia’s first canonized saint
• Bl. Giulia Salzano (1846-1929), foundress of the Congregation of the Catechetical Sisters of the Sacred Heart
• Bl. Camilla Battista da Varano (1458-1524), a Poor Clare nun
Five candidates now qualified for beatification:
• Father José Tous y Soler (1811-71), a Capuchin Franciscan
• Brother Leopoldo de Alpandeire (1866-1956), a Capuchin Franciscan
• Manuel Lozano Garrido (1920-71), a Spanish layman
• Teresa Manganiello (1849-76), a Third Order Franciscan
• Chiara Badano (1971-90), a laywoman of the Focolare Movement
Nine candidates who qualify for the title “Venerable”::
• Pope Pius XII (Eugenio Pacelli) (1876-1958)
• Pope John Paul II (Karol Wojtyla) (1920-2005)
• Father Louis Brisson (1817-1908), founder of the Oblates of Saint Francis de Sales
• Father Giuseppe Quadrio (1921-63), a Salesian
• Sister Mary Ward (1545-1615), an Englishwoman who founded the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Loreto Sisters)
• Sister Antonia Maria Verna (1773-1838), foundress of the Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception of Ivrea
• Sister Francesca Farolfi (Maria Chiara Serafina of Jesus) (1853-1917), foundress of the Missionary Franciscan Clarists of the Blessed Sacrament
• Sister Enrichetta Alfieri (1891-1951)
• Giunio Tinarelli (1912-56), a layman and member of the Silent Workers of the Cross
• Bl. Giacomo Illirico da Bitetto, a Franciscan.

