"In the beatification and canonisation process that I intend to open, we will strictly abide by all the laws and times of the Church, but right now I am convinced, deep down, that father Andrea’s sacrifice contains all the factors that constitute a Christian martyrdom": this comment, to end the sermon uttered today in the Basilica of Saint John Lateran by the Pope’s Vicar for Rome, card. Camillo Ruini, deeply touched the congregation and was welcomed by a long applause. Then, the cardinal continued and ended the sermon with the words of the Roman priest who was murdered in Trabzon: "Father Andrea’s mother forgives with all her heart the person who armed himself to kill her son and feels great pity for him, since he too is a son of the only God that is love". Before announcing his intention of initiating the beatification process for father Santoro, card. Ruini said: "I placed emphasis on father Andrea’s courage and the meaning of Christian courage. But this courage is not for attacking and killing, but for actually loving and building understanding, friendship and peace where intolerance, contempt and hatred too often reign".
