Laura Montoya y Lupe Garcia, new saints from Latin America

Pope Francis raised to the altars the first saints of his pontificate, after a ceremony in the San Pedro square, which canonized two Latin American nuns: the Colombian Laura Montoya and the Mexican Maria Guadalupe Garcia Zavala, as well as 800 Italian martyrs, who were beheaded for refusing to be converted to islam in the 15th century.

Among the attendees were many devotees of Laura Montoya, the first Saint of Colombia, founder of the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Blessed Virgin and Santa Catalina de Siena, who dealt with the evangelization of indigenous and marginalized groups.

As well as of the Mexican Guadalupe ‘Lupe’ García, the second saint woman of Mexico and founder of the Congregation of the servants of Santa Margarita Maria of the poor, who are dedicated to cure needy patients.

During the homily, the Supreme Pontiff invited the faithful to follow the example of the new saints, because both dedicated their lives to patients who were marginalized and indigenous people.

“We include them in the book of the Saints, and establish that throughout the Church they be devoutly honored among the Saints,” said Francisco.