Martyrs

The Latest

Brother Godwin Eze.

‘I am prepared to die a martyr’: Freed Nigerian monk recounts kidnapping, murder of brother monk

Nov 30, 2023

By Agnes Aineah

Brother Peter Olarewaju recounts the horrific kidnapping and torture he and other monks suffered, including the murder of a brother... Read more

Pope Francis at the Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, Angelus and martyrs beatified in Seville on Nov. 18, 2023.

Pope Francis calls for applause for 20 martyrs of Spanish Civil War beatified in Seville

Nov 20, 2023

By Walter Sanchez Silva

At Sunday’s Angelus, Pope Francis called for applause for the 20 martyrs beatified in the Seville cathedral on Nov. 18. Read more

"Martyrdom of Josaphat Kuntsevych" (c. 1861) by Józef Simmler.

Ukrainian Greek Catholics observe 400th anniversary of St. Josaphat Kuncewycz’s martyrdom

Nov 17, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

The 17th-century saint is called the “Apostle of Unity” because of his efforts to heal the divide between the churches... Read more

The project of the sanctuary of the holy martyrs of the Cristera War in Mexico is expected to be completed in 2026.

Mexican diocese building new shrine to martyrs of Cristero War

Oct 18, 2023

By Diego López Colín

The Archdiocese of Durango in Mexico has begun the construction of a shrine dedicated to the martyrs who offered their... Read more

A new statue of St. Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, a Korean martyr, was unveiled at St. Peter's Basilica on Sept. 16, 2023.

Who are the Korean martyrs?

Sep 20, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

On Sept. 20, the Catholic Church remembers the many men, women, and children who died for their faith in Korea. Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter's Square on June 28, 2023.

Vatican to collect stories of Christian martyrs killed since 2000

Jul 5, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

“To all of them we owe a great debt and cannot forget them,” Pope Francis said. Read more

Pope Francis receives relics of the Coptic martyrs from Pope Tawadros II, the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, May 11, 2023. Pope Francis also announced that the 21 men will be added to the Church’s official list of saints.

Pope Francis adds Coptic Orthodox martyrs to liturgical book of saints

May 11, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

After receiving relics of the Coptic martyrs beheaded by ISIS, Pope Francis announced the 21 men will be added to... Read more

The faces of 140 Spanish priests and laity killed during the religious persecution in Spain in the 20th century.

Another 140 Spanish laymen, priests martyred for their faith considered for beatification

Dec 16, 2022

By CNA Staff

The diocesan phase of the beatification processes of 140 priests and laymen murdered in Spain during the religious persecution of... Read more

Pope Francis, pictured in St. Peter's Square Oct. 14, 2017.

Pope Francis: Conscientious objector Bl. Franz Jägerstätter an example for youth

Jul 11, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis on Monday invited young people to learn the story of Bl. Franz Jägerstätter, a conscientious objector who was... Read more

The 10 Elizabethan sisters beatified on June 11, 2022, in Wrocław, Poland.

Meet the 10 newest blesseds of the Catholic Church

Jun 18, 2022

By CNA Staff

The 10 Elizabethan sisters were murdered by Red Army soldiers in 1945. Read more

Sister Paschalis Jahn and nine fellow Elizabethan sisters martyred during World War II were beatified June 11, 2022, in Wroclaw, Poland.

Pope Francis praises 'example of faith' of newly beatified Polish nuns martyred in WWII

Jun 12, 2022

By CNA Staff

Sister Paschalis Jahn and nine fellow Elizabethan sisters were beatified Saturday in Wroclaw, Poland. Read more

The beatification of Father Leonard Melki and Father Thomas Saleh in Jal el Dib, Lebanon, on June 4, 2022.

Catholic priests martyred under Ottoman Empire beatified in Lebanon

Jun 6, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Father Leonard Melki and Father Thomas Saleh were martyred in 1915 and 1917 respectively. Read more

Titus Brandsma as rector magnificus of the Catholic University of Nijmegen in 1932.

Who was Titus Brandsma?

Mar 8, 2022

By Luke Coppen

Pope Francis will canonize the World War II martyr in May. Read more

Blessed Martyrs of Compiègne were guillotined for their faith on July 17, 1794.

Pope Francis opens special process to canonize 16 Carmelite martyrs of the French Revolution

Feb 25, 2022

By Kelsey Wicks

At the request of the bishops of France and the Order of Carmelites Discalced (OCD), Pope Francis agreed on Feb.... Read more

Four martyrs are beatified at a Mass in San Salvador, El Salvador, on Jan. 22, 2022.

Pope Francis honors newly beatified El Salvador martyrs for their ‘heroic example’

Jan 25, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Father Cosme Spessotto, Father Rutilio Grande, and two lay companions were declared blessed. Read more

Blessed Titus Brandsma, O.Carm.

Pope Francis recognizes miracle attributed to WWII martyr Bl. Titus Brandsma’s intercession

Nov 25, 2021

By CNA Staff

The decision paves the way for the Dutch Carmelite friar’s canonization. Read more

A Mass in honor of Blessed Jerzy Popiełuszko at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Warsaw, Poland, Oct. 19. 2021.

Poland commemorates anniversary of Blessed Jerzy Popieluszko’s martyrdom

Oct 20, 2021

By CNA Staff

The blessed was killed on Oct. 19, 1984. Read more

St. Jose Sanchez del Rio banner in St. Peter's Square, Oct. 16, 2016.

St José Sánchez del Río's witness highlighted at Mexican Martyrs Shrine statue dedication

Oct 18, 2021

By David Ramos

At the dedication of the statue of Saint José Sánchez del Río at Guadalajara’s Martyrs Shrine, the city’s archbishop highlighted... Read more

The Martyrs of Zenta.

Argentine bishops welcome Vatican recognition of priests' 1683 martyrdom

Oct 15, 2021

By Giselle Vargas

Bishops in Argentina have welcomed the promulgation of a decree by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints that regards... Read more

An image of Blessed Paul Yun Ji-chung and 123 companions, who were beatified Aug. 16, 2014.

Relics of first Korean Catholic martyrs identified with DNA testing

Sep 1, 2021

By Courtney Mares

The martyrs were among the first of thousands of Catholics to be tortured and executed. Read more