Nine sainthood and beatification causes advanced during an April 9 meeting between Pope Francis and Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

In approving a miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed Artémides Zatti (1880-1951), Pope Francis paved the way for the Salesian brother’s canonization.

Pope Francis also approved the decree on the martyrdom of Fathers Giuseppe Bernardi and Mario Ghibaudo, who were slain by Nazi forces in 1943—thus paving the way for their beatification.

Finally, the Pope approved seven decrees of heroic virtue; the seven Servants of God may now be honored as venerable.