Pope Francis has celebrated the unwavering faith, courage, and commitment of Christian martyrs across all denominations.
In a heartfelt address to participants of a Vatican conference on martyrdom, the pope highlighted the unity of Christians within the face of persecution, no matter denominational differences.
“Even today, in lots of parts of the world, there are numerous martyrs who give their lives for Christ,” Pope Francis said, chatting with the ‘No Greater Love: Martyrdom and Offering of Life’ conference, organised by the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints.
He lamented that, “In many cases, Christians are persecuted because, pushed by their faith in God, they defend justice, truth, peace, human dignity.”
The conference, which took place from 11 to 14 November in Rome, brought together theologians, scholars, and spiritual leaders to explore the theological, historical, and cultural significance of martyrdom.
In a bid to further honour these sacrifices, Pope Francis announced the establishment of a special commission throughout the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. This initiative is devoted to studying and documenting the lives and testimonies of latest martyrs from various Christian traditions, aiming to encourage faith and solidarity amongst Christians worldwide throughout 2025.
To grow to be a saint, more is required than sustained “human effort or a private commitment to sacrifice and renunciation,” the pope said. “First of all, we must allow ourselves to be transformed by the ability of God’s love, which is bigger than us and makes us able to loving even beyond what we thought we were able to.”
The pontiff also highlighted the sacrifice of modern-day martyrs, including the 21 Coptic Christians who were kidnapped and executed in Libya in 2015. Though not Catholic, he affirmed, “They were Christians, they’re martyrs and the church venerates them as its own martyrs.”
The pope further reflected on the equality of martyrdom, referencing the Uganda Martyrs – 23 Anglican and 22 Catholic converts executed within the late nineteenth century. “With martyrdom, there may be equality,” he said, clarifying that, “They are martyrs, and the church receives them as martyrs.”
The pope emphasised the self-evident nature of martyrdom as a transparent sign of sanctity within the eyes of the Catholic Church, explaining that martyrdom doesn’t require a confirmed miracle for beatification, as “the martyrdom is sufficient”. Joking with members of the saints’ dicastery, he added, “That way we save a little bit of time, of paper and money.”
Pope Francis outlined three fundamental elements of martyrdom that he said remain unchanged today. First, “A martyr must accept a violent and premature death relatively than resign their faith.”
Even an unbaptised Christian can achieve what he called “the baptism of blood”. Second, the martyr’s death should be brought on by a persecutor’s hatred of the religion or one other associated virtue, reminiscent of the defence of “justice, the reality, peace [or] human dignity”. Lastly, he said, “The victim assumes an unexpected attitude of charity, patience, meekness, in imitation of the crucified Jesus.”
Pope Francis also distinguished martyrdom from other types of sainthood, reminiscent of “the offering of life”, a category he introduced in 2017. This pathway allows for beatification within the absence of a direct persecutor, when a Christian believer willingly places themselves in circumstances that ultimately result in death, selecting to uphold their faith despite the danger.
“Even within the extraordinary witness of such a holiness,” the pope said, “the fantastic thing about the Christian life, which knows the way to make itself a present without measure, like Jesus on the cross, shines forth.”
On the ultimate day of the event, Pope Francis emphasised that martyrdom is a living testimony of hope, quoting his formal proclamation of the Holy Year 2025, “Spes Non Confundit” (“Hope Does Not Disappoint”), during which he described martyrdom as “essentially the most convincing testimony” to hope.
