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Pope Francis has described the priest who was killed by Islamist militants in northern France as a martyr, and indicated he may be on course for sainthood. Sky News is reporting.
Francis, speaking during a special mass for people from that area of France, said: “He accepted his martyrdom there on the altar.
“He gave his life for us so as not to deny Jesus … He is a martyr and martyrs are beatified.”
Beatification is one of the first steps in the process leading to sainthood.
A miracle is also usually required prior to beatification – but it can be waived if there is evidence the candidate died a martyr.
During his homily in the chapel of the Vatican guest house where he lives, Francis used the words martyr or martyrdom 10 times.
A picture of the murdered priest was placed on the altar during Mass at the Pope’s insistence.
“A good, humble man, a man of brotherhood who always sought to make peace, was assassinated as if he were a criminal,” Francis said.
Afterwards, the archbishop of Rouen, Dominique Lebrun, told reporters the pope had told him that Father Hamel should be “venerated” – an honour normally bestowed only after the procedure leading to sainthood has begun.
