Pope Draws Line By Crowning Martyrs of Islamic Persecution

Pope canonises 800 martyrs killed by Turks


Pope Francis has created the first saints of his reign, canonising some 800 Italian martyrs who refused to convert to Islam in the 15th century.

Tens of thousands of faithful gathered to watch as Pope Francis formally bestowed the sainthoods, which had been approved by his predecessor Benedict XVI, during the mass at St Peter's Square on Sunday.

The new saints include Italian cobbler Antonio Primaldo, who was killed by Ottoman forces, along with an estimated 800 others, for refusing to convert to Islam in the town of Otranto in 1480.

Most of the dead remain anonymous.

"While we venerate the martyrs of Otranto, ask God to support the many Christians who still suffer from violence and give them the courage and fate and respond to evil with goodness," the Pope said, referring to the persecution of Christians.

The new Pope also canonised Colombia's Laura di Santa Caterina da Siena Montoya y Upeguila, and Mexico's Maria Guadalupe Garcia Zavala, who both died in the 20th century.

The two women founded religious orders and devoted their lives to helping the poor, the sick and native peoples.

The Pope paid homage to di Santa Caterina da Siena Montoya y Upeguila, or "Madre Laura" - Colombia's first saint - for respecting the local culture and traditions while teaching natives during her mission.

Editor's note: The Vatican just poked at Allah...probability is high that an Islamic fatwah will be issued to respond to this offense, which will not bode well for the Vatican!