Pope opens path to beatification of Argentinian Cardinal Pironio

By Joseph Tulloch

Pope Francis has recognised a miracle attributed to the intercession of Edoardo Francisco Pironio, the Argentine Cardinal known to many as “the friend of God.”

In an audience on Wednesday morning with the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Cause of the Saints, Pope Francis gave his assent to the publication of a decree regarding the miracle, thus paving the way for Pironio’s beatification.

Legacy of service

Cardinal Pironio was born in Argentina in 1920, to a family of Italian immigrants. He was the last of 23 children.

During his lifetime, he was well-known for his humility and profound spirituality, as well as for his close relationships with the homeless people living in the vicinity of St Peter’s Square.

Once considered a leading candidate for the papacy, he was a key figure in the Latin American Church, serving as both secretary and president of the Latin American Episcopal Conference.

In 1975, Pope Paul VI called him to Rome, where he was created Cardinal. From 1984 to 1996, he served as President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity.

Cardinal Pironio died in Rome in 1998, after a long and difficult illness.

Pope Francis: Pironio 'never closed the door to anyone'

During his time in Argentina, Pironio met with Jorge Mario Bergoglio, then provincial of the Jesuits, later to become Pope Francis.

In an interview, the Pope said of Pironio: “When you spoke with him, he always gave you the feeling that he was the worst man in the world, the worst sinner.”

“He would open a panorama of holiness to you from his profound humility. He opened horizons for you; you realised that he never closed the door to anyone, even people he knew did not understand him," said Pope Francis.

Heroic virtues recognised

During the meeting on Wednesday, Pope Francis also recognized the “heroic virtues” of three individuals - Giuseppe Marrazzo, Eliswa of the Blessed Virgin Mary (born Eliswa Vakayil), and Francesca Foresti (born Eleanora).

Two of these – Marrazzo, a Rogationist priest, and Foresti, a Franciscan nun – were Italian, while Sr. Eliswa hailed from the Indian state of Kerala.

The Pope's decision means that all three - already recognised as Servants of God - will now be recognised as Venerable, the next step in the beatification process.