Pope Francis Canonizes 800 Saints; First Saints From Colombia and Mexico

Pope Francis named 800 new saints at a canonization ceremony on Sunday, setting a record doubling the number of Saints named by Pope John Paul II during his entire career as Pope. Of the 800 newly named Catholic saints 2 included nuns from Latin America.

Mother Laura Montoya is Columbia's first saint. Sister Montoya helped to create a new religious order in 1914. Today the Congregation of Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Virgin operates out of 21 different nations.

The second Latin American nun to be made a saint is from Mexico. At the age of 22 Maria Guadalupe Cracia Zavala dedicated her life to the cause of helping those in need, especially the sick. Between 1926-1929 the Mexican government and the Catholic Church were on the outs and rebels began to attack "anti-clerical laws."

"Maria Guadalupe Cracia Zavala helped Catholics avoid persecution during a government crackdown on the faith."

The Latin American sisters were just 2 of the 800 saints named by Pope Francis. Another group includes a number of people killed for their Catholic faith in the year 1480.

The process to canonize the "Martyrs of Otranto" was started by the former Pope, Benedict VXI. The newly sainted group of men were killed back in 1480. The "Martyrs of Otranto" were murdered by a group of Ottoman soldiers when they entered the southern Italian town of Otranto.

The Turkish soldiers sacked the town demanding its citizens convert to Islam. For refusing some of the 800 people recently made Saints were beheaded.

"Where did they find their strength to remain faithful?" The Pope asked during his sermon. "Precisely from the faith, which makes us see beyond the limits of our human sight, beyond this earthly life...God will never leave us without strength and serenity."

According to the BBC, "within two months of taking office, Pope Francis has proclaimed more saints than any of his predecessors."

Reports are suggesting that canonizing the "Martyrs of Otranto" placed Pope Francis in a difficult position since he has publically said he hopes to improve Catholic-Muslim relations. However, during his speech about the "Martyrs" Pope Francis never once mentioned the Islamic faith. Instead he chose to focus on the Catholic qualities that make those killed in 1480 good candidates for Sainthood.

According to the Vatican, "At the end of his homily, the Pope emphasized that the new saints teach us "faithfulness to Jesus and his gospel, to proclaim him in word with our lives, witnessing to God's love with our love and with our charity to all."