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VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis on Sunday canonized six new saints, two Indians and four Italians, all of whom dedicated their lives to helping the poor.
Here is a look at the new saints:
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GIOVANNI ANTONIO FARINA, born Jan. 11, 1803, in Gambarella, Italy, province of Vicenza. As bishop of Treviso for a decade, then bishop of Vicenza for 28 years until his death in 1888, Farina renewed diocese life through pastoral visits, diocesan synods and parish associations for the poor. He became known as "the bishop of the poor." He was beatified by John Paul II on Nov. 4, 2001.
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KURIAKOSE ELIAS CHAVARA, born Feb. 10, 1805, in Kainakary, India. Chavara was a priest who contributed to the growth of the Syro-Malabar Church, one of 22 Eastern rite churches that remain in full communion with Rome. As the first vicar general of the Syro-Malabar Church in the Verapoli diocese, he worked to prevent the threat of a schism, and was the author of numerous spiritual, liturgical and poetic works. He died in 1871, and was beatified by John Paul II on Feb. 8, 1986.
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LUDOVICO DA CASORIA, born March 11, 1814, near Naples. Da Casoria, a priest, devoted himself to the poor after a mystical experience, and founded the association Opera dei Moretti that paid ransom to release African children from slavery and contributed to their education with the goal of creating missionaries. He died in 1885 and was beatified by John Paul II on April 18, 1993.
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NICOLA DA LONGOBARDI, born Jan. 6, 1650, in the southern region of Calabria. Da Longobardi lived in various religious communities, taking on humble jobs such as cook or doorman, while also giving catechism lessons, exhibiting an affinity for the poor. He had frequent mystical experiences and his reputation for holiness endured through the centuries. He died in 1709 and was beatified by Pius VI on Sept. 17, 1786.
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EUFRASIA ELUVATHINGAL, born Oct. 17, 1877 to an aristocratic family in India's Kerala state. Baptized Rose, she took her religious vows in the Congregation of the Sisters of the Mother of Carmel in 1900. She lived an austere life of prayer, becoming known as "the prayerful mother." She died in 1952 and was beatified on Dec. 3, 2006.
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AMATO RONCONI, born 1226 in the Rimini province on Italy's Adriatic coast. Orphaned at a young age, he took inspiration from the life of Francis of Assisi and joined the Franciscan Third Order. He founded a hospice for pilgrims along the road from Rimini to Urbino, working in fields to support the enterprise and help the poor. He died in 1292. He was beatified by Pius VI on March 17, 1776.
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