Controversial beatification
On 27th April Pope John Paul II is due to beatify six servants of God; the Italians Giacamo Alberione (1884-1971), Maria Cristina Brando, Eugenia Ravasco (1845-1900), Maria Domenica Mantovani (1862-1934), Giulia Salzano (1846-1929), as well as Marco DAviano (1631-1699).
Preacher in favour of the war against the Turks: controversial beatification
This last candidate for sainthood, a great Capuchin preacher, was chaplain to the Austrian Emperors. He is particularly known for having preached in favour of fighting against the Turks in the second half of the 17th century. His reputation even led him to propose strategies to the Viennese armies which saw the definitive defeat of the Turks, and through that, the decline of Islam in Europe. He was buried in Vienna next to the imperial tombs. His beatification is controversial in the delicate context of islamo-christian relations .
