VATICAN CITY, Italy – Pope Benedict XVI advanced the sainthood causes of two American women, Blessed Marianne Cope of Molokai and Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha.

He also formally recognized the martyrdom of the 64 victims of the Spanish Civil War and advanced the causes of 18 other men and women.

During his meeting on December 19 with Cardinal Angelo Amato, the prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes, Pope Benedict signed the decrees recognizing the miracles needed for the said canonizations of Blesseds Marianne and Kateri.