In a solemn but chilling recognition of religious persecution, Pope Leo XIV declared two Catholic priests murdered during World War II as martyrs, marking a significant step toward their sainthood.

On Nov. 21, 2025, Pope Leo XIV acknowledged Fathers Ubaldo Marchioni and Nicola Capelli as martyrs killed “in hatred for the faith,” after they were slain by Nazi forces during the 1944 Marzabotto Massacre in Italy, while also advancing the cause of four other Catholics toward sainthood, as CNA reports.

The recognition came more than 80 years after the horrific wartime events that claimed hundreds of innocent lives across several days in northern Italy. The massacre was carried out by the Waffen-SS as retaliation against suspected local support for Italian partisan fighters resisting Nazi occupation. Among the victims were children, elderly residents, and clergy who refused to abandon their spiritual duties.

On Sept. 29, 1944, Nazi troops stormed the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, located just outside Bologna. A young priest named Father Ubaldo Marchioni was leading parishioners in prayer. Without warning or mercy, soldiers shot him in the head as he prayed the rosary with his congregation.

A Brutal Mass Execution Follows Church Invasion

After Marchioni's execution, the soldiers rounded up the remaining 197 worshippers, including 52 children. They were led to a cemetery nearby where all were systematically executed. This marked the beginning of what is now known as the Marzabotto Massacre — one of the worst war crimes committed on Italian soil by Nazi forces.

Overlapping with this tragedy was the deeply moving story of Father Nicola Capelli, a priest with the Sacred Heart of Jesus religious order. Known in his order as Martino of Our Lady of Sorrows, Capelli had long dreamed of being a missionary in China but remained in Italy under obedience to his superiors. He was noted for his devotion to providing spiritual comfort in times of crisis.

When news arrived that Nazi troops were executing civilians near Marzabotto, Capelli chose not to flee. Instead, he traveled to the danger zone to administer last rites to the dying. He was arrested by the SS upon his arrival.

Final Act of Faith Before Execution

Capelli was detained by Nazi troops for two days and eventually executed on Oct. 1, 1944, alongside 44 fellow detainees. In the moments before their execution, witnesses testified that Capelli raised his hand to bless the group, offering a last act of faith and courage in the face of death. He was 32 years old at the time of his martyrdom.

Pope Leo XIV’s recent decree formally recognized both priests as martyrs, which paves the way for their beatification. Beatification is the last major step before canonization in the Roman Catholic Church and confirms that the Church believes the person died out of hatred for the faith — a key requirement for martyrdom.

In the same pronouncement, the pope also advanced the saintly causes of four other Catholics by declaring them “venerable,” which signifies recognized heroic virtue but not martyrdom. Their paths to sainthood will now require verified miracles attributed to prayers in their name.

Newly Venerable Figures Recognized by the Church

Among those declared venerable was Mary Glowrey, an Australian physician and nun who in 1920 became a medical missionary in India. She was known for founding the Catholic Hospital Association and was given special permission to practice medicine under religious vows, reportedly making her the first nun and doctor recognized by the Vatican for medical missionary work.

Another was Maria de Lourdes Guarda, a Brazilian woman who, after becoming permanently disabled at 21, continued a life of prayer and advocacy for the rights of disabled people despite great suffering. Her life was marked by acceptance of pain and great inner strength, evidence of her heroic virtue.

Also honored were Archbishop Enrico Bartoletti, an Italian bishop who opposed Nazi campaigns against Jews and contributed significantly to Vatican II reforms, and Gaspare Goggi, a Vatican City priest remembered for his deep compassion and role as a confessor to many in the Holy See.

Lessons to Learn

1. Acts of courage can carry great meaning: Both Marchioni and Capelli faced death rather than abandon their responsibilities. Their stories remind us that standing by others in times of fear can leave a lasting legacy of hope and integrity.

2. Standing for faith or beliefs can come with risks: These men lost their lives because of their commitment to their faith, a sobering reminder that persecution based on religion or principles still exists in the world and must be confronted with moral clarity.

3. Victimhood is never the fault of the victim: No matter how prepared or kind someone may be, because crime can strike anyone at any time, society must continue to protect vulnerable communities and remember those lost with dignity and truth.

Why This Story Matters

This recognition from Pope Leo XIV brings overdue justice and visibility to lives lost in one of WWII’s darkest chapters. By naming these priests as martyrs, the Church not only honors their sacrifice but also educates current generations on the cost of hatred and intolerance.

It also underscores the power of individual choices in the face of terror — not only for the victims themselves but for those who draw strength from their resilience. The events remain a chilling yet vital reminder of moral courage during times of unspeakable violence.

Conclusion

Fathers Ubaldo Marchioni and Nicola Capelli, both young priests during the Nazi occupation of Italy, died while serving their communities through prayer and sacramental rites. Their murders, part of the larger Marzabotto Massacre that killed over 770 civilians, led Pope Leo XIV to declare them martyrs on Nov. 21, 2025. This declaration brings them one step closer to beatification.

In the same act, the pope advanced the causes of four other Catholics — Mary Glowrey, Maria de Lourdes Guarda, Enrico Bartoletti, and Gaspare Goggi — by recognizing their heroic virtue and declaring them venerable. Each demonstrated faith and commitment in harrowing circumstances, and their examples continue to inspire efforts toward justice and sanctity within the Church and beyond.