14 new saints, including Damascus martyrs, canonized by Pope Francis in Saint Peter's Square.

Pope Francis has canonized 14 new saints, notably the "martyrs of Damascus," who were Franciscan friars and lay Maronites killed by Druze militants in 1860, symbolizing Christian persecution. The ceremony occurred in Saint Peter's Square, attended by thousands of faithful. The canonization highlights the historical significance of Damascus, once home to a vibrant Christian community, now reduced to about two percent of the population since Syria's civil war began in 2011.

October 20, 2024
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