Beatification of Pius XII blocked by absence of approved miracle
May 28, 2014
The cause for beatification of Pope Pius XII has not moved forward because there has not been a miracle attributed to his intercession, Pope Francis told reporters during his May 26 news conference on his return trip from the Holy Land.
The cause for beatification of the World War II-era Pontiff remains active, Pope Francis said. “But there’s no miracle and at least one is required for beatification,” he said. He indicated that the cause could not move forward until a miracle is recognized.
In May 2007, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints reportedly voted to approve a decree affirming that Pope Pius XII had shown "heroic virtue" during his life. That decree-- which was eventually approved by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009-- cleared the way for the beatification of Pius XII if a miracle is attributed to his intercession.
More recently, in 2011, an Italian woman claimed that she had been cured from cancer through the intercession of Pius XII. But some physicians said that chemotherapy might explain her recovery, and Vatican experts have not—at least to date—approved the authenticity of the miracle.
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Further information:
- Pope Francis: ‘Pius XII’s Cause for beatification has stalled’ (Catholic Herald)
- Pius XII file stalled because no miracle (ANSA)
- Popes Pius XII, John Paul II declared 'venerable' (CWN, 12/19/09)
- Miracle claimed through intercession of Pope Pius XII (CWN, 7/4/11)
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Posted by: Deo Vindice -
May. 30, 2014 10:55 AM ET USA
Very interesting. Pope Francis will not approve Pius XII for Sainthood. Wasn’t it Pope Francis who waived the usual judicial process to canonized St. Angela of Foligno and St. Peter Faber on 2 different occasions. Also, wasn’t it Pope Francis who also waived the requirement for a 2nd miracle in the case of Blessed John XXIII in order to Cnonize him a Saint. Why not exercise this authority on behalf of Pope Pius XII? Political correctness strikes again!!. I guess we might offend some people.
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Posted by: Minnesota Mary -
May. 29, 2014 2:46 PM ET USA
I don't need a miracle attributed to Pope Pius XII to know that he is indeed a saint. But by all means, let's make sure with this canonization process that there are the full number of required miracles needed and the proper time span given to make doubly sure that Pius XII is a saint in heaven! Pius XII has been the most unjustly maligned pope ever. "If the world hates you, just remember that it has hated me first. If you belonged to the world, then the world would love you as its own."
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Posted by: Defender -
May. 28, 2014 6:43 PM ET USA
What is a miracle is that Pius XII was able to pilot the Church through WWII and save so many Jewish people (et al) in the process. Pius XII is a saint, regardless of the character assassinations and the foot dragging.
