Father Pedro de Asúa, who was martyred during the Spanish cινιℓ ωαr, was beatified in the Basque city of Vitoria-Gasteiz on November 1.

Cardinal Angelo Amato, the prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, presided over the beatification, which took place in the city’s cathedral.

Born in 1890, Father de Asúa studied architecture before entering the seminary. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1924 and, in addition to his priestly ministry, served as diocesan architect, according to a report in El Pais. He suffered martyrdom in 1936.

“A humble and austere priest, he preached the Gospel with the sanctity of his life, catechesis and devotion to the poor and needy,” Pope Francis said following his November 1 Angelus address. “Arrested, tortured and killed for having expressed his desire to remain faithful to the Lord and to the Church, he is a wonderful example of strength in the faith and witness of charity for us.”

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