# Beatification of Marzabotto massacre victims

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/beatification-of-marzabotto-massacre-victims
> Updated: 2026-09-27T18:30:40.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 2.

Cardinal Matteo Zuppi initially addressed the upcoming beatifications of several religious figures in Italy, including Blessed Rosario Livatino and three priests who were victims of the Marzabotto massacre during World War II. Zuppi described the priests—Martino Capelli, Elia Comini, and Ubaldo Marchioni—as martyrs who chose to remain with their communities during Nazi killings, calling for peace and dialogue.

Following these remarks, the Catholic Church officially beatified the three priests during a ceremony at the Basilica of San Petronio in Bologna. Presided over by Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, the ceremony honored the men for their pastoral love and faithfulness during the 1944 Monte Sole massacre, in which German forces killed over 770 people.

## Claims

- The three priests chose to remain with their people despite having opportunities to escape to safety. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The Catholic Church beatified three priests in Bologna: Ubaldo Marchioni, Elia Comini, and Martino Capelli. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The priests were killed during the Monte Sole massacre in autumn 1944. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- SS units murdered over 770 people during the Monte Sole massacre near Marzabotto. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The decision of the three priests to stay with their communities was an expression of pastoral love rather than mere heroism. (single source)
- Ubaldo Marchioni was killed in front of the altar in the church of Casaglia. (single source)
- Elia Comini and Martino Capelli were executed in Pioppe di Salvaro on October 1, 1944. (single source)
- The liturgical feast day for the new beatified priests will be observed on October 13. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-27: Bologna beatifies three priests killed in Monte Sole massacre

Three priests killed during the 1944 Monte Sole massacre, Ubaldo Marchioni, Elia Comini, and Martino Capelli, have been beatified in Bologna by the Catholic Church.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bologna-beatifies-three-priests-killed-in-monte-sole-massacre

### 2026-09-25: Cardinal Zuppi honors martyrs and Blessed Rosario Livatino

Cardinal Matteo Zuppi honored Blessed Rosario Livatino and three martyred priests from the Marzabotto massacre, calling their legacies symbols of peace, justice, and service to the community.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cardinal-zuppi-honors-martyrs-and-blessed-rosario-livatino

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Cite as: Beatification of Marzabotto massacre victims. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/beatification-of-marzabotto-massacre-victims