From the papal throne in the blazing baroque magnificence of St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Pius pronounced the ancient formula: "In the most holy name of the Trinity ... for the exaltation of the Catholic faith and the increase of the Christian religion. . . ." Then, with the solemn notes of the Te Deum, and the pomp of a papal High Mass, and the clamor of Roman church bells, Francesca Saverio Cabrini became the first U.S. saint.
Until the 12th Century saints were created quickly and easily by popular acclaim or by decree of local bishops. But by the decrees of Pope...
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