Pope Francis recognizes the miracle attributed to the Italian lay woman who died in 1997

Pope Francis promoted the cause of holiness on Tuesday for an Italian woman who died in 1997 after touching the lives of thousands despite suffering from progressive paralysis.

The pope authorized the Congregation for the Causes of Saints on September 29 to promulgate a decree recognizing a miracle attributed to Gaetana "Nuccia" Tolomeo, paving the way for her beatification.

He also authorized decrees relating to four priests killed in the Spanish Civil War and two founders of religious orders.

It was the first time that the Congregation for the Causes of Saints had promulgated decrees since its prefect, Cardinal Angelo Becciu, resigned on September 24.

Gaetana Tolomeo was born on 10 April 1936 in Catanzaro, the capital of Calabria. Known to all as “Nuccia”, she was confined to a bed or chair for the 60th anniversary of her life.

He dedicated his life to prayer, especially the rosary, which he kept at all times. He started attracting visitors, including priests, nuns and laity, who asked for his advice.

In 1994, he began appearing as a guest on a local radio station, using the opportunity to proclaim the gospel and reach out to prisoners, prostitutes, drug addicts and families in crisis.

According to an Italian site dedicated to his cause, two months before his death on January 24, 1997, he summed up his life in a message to young people.

She said: “I'm Nuccia, I'm 60, all spent on a bed; my body is twisted, in everything I have to depend on others, but my spirit has remained young. The secret of my youth and my joy of living is Jesus. Alleluia! "

In addition to the miracle attributed to the intercession of Ptolemy, the pope acknowledged the martyrdom of Fr. Francesco Cástor Sojo López and three companions. The four priests, belonging to the Diocesan Priests Workers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, were killed “in odium fidei”, or hatred of the faith, between 1936 and 1938. Following the decree, they can now be beatified.

The pope also approved the heroic virtues of Mother Francisca Pascual Domenech (1833-1903), Spanish founder of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, and of Mother María Dolores Segarra Gestoso (1921-1959), Spanish founder of the Missionaries of Christ the Priest.