First Arabic-speaking Catholic saints as Pope canonizes Palestinian nuns

Pope Francis named two Palestinian women as saints on Sunday, in a ceremony in Saint Peter’s Square just days after the Vatican formalized its de facto recognition of the State of Palestine. The canonization of Sister Marie-Alphonsine Danil Ghattas, founder of the Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of Jerusalem, and Maryam Baouardy, who founded a Carmelite convent in Bethlehem, was not directly connected with the Vatican’s Wednesday announcement of a new accord with the State of Palestine.

It is a sign of our modern time which suggests that we can talk about the three religions without any discrimination.

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Twal

The ceremony, attended by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and a delegation of senior clergy including the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Twal, highlighted Pope Francis’ longstanding drive to help embattled Christian communities in the Middle East. The canonizations of two Palestinians were the first of their kind “since the days of the apostles,” Twal said. On Saturday, the pope met Abbas for a private visit, calling him “an angel of peace” and urging a renewed effort to find peace with Israel.