Pope Leo XIV recognizes heroic virtues of six Catholics

Pope Leo XIV has authorized decrees recognizing the heroic virtues of six Catholics, elevating them to the status of venerable. The group includes missionary bishops Friedrich Kaiser Depel and Oreste Marengo, Focolare member Margarita Bavosi, Italian priests Domenico Pogliani and Alessandro Vitetti, and Capuchin Brother Daniele of San Giovanni Rotondo.

Among those recognized is Bishop Friedrich Kaiser Depel, a German-born missionary who served in Peru. After being appointed the first prelate of Caravelí, Depel worked to provide water supplies and rebuild the local cathedral following a 1960 earthquake.

In a separate audience with the Sisters of Charity of St. Jeanne-Antide Thouret, the Pope emphasized the importance of charity in healing societal divisions. He encouraged the community, which is marking the 200th anniversary of its foundress's death, to focus on the spiritual and temporal well-being of others to promote human dignity.