Who is Pedro Ballester? British student expected to become Catholic church’s first Gen Z saint

cancer At 21, he officially began a process that could ultimately make him the Catholic Church’s first Gen Z saint.According to the BBC, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Salford announced that it has officially launched the canonization and canonization activities of Pedro Ballester, marking the first stage of the church’s canonization process.The diocese said: “We are delighted to announce the official launch of the campaign for the beatification and canonization of Pedro Ballester, a young Manchester man whose life of faith and witness continues to inspire many.” Born in Manchester, Ballester was studying to be a chemical engineer until his studies were interrupted by an aggressive form of cancer. He died in January 2018 at the age of 21.He is also associated with Opus Dei, a Catholic institution founded in Spain in 1928 by Father Josemaria Escriva. As a teenager, Ballester worked to become a secular member dedicated to religious life and service.Hundreds of mourners attended the funeral at Holy Name Church, led by future Cardinal Arthur Roche, who traveled from the Vatican to attend.The launch of the canonization process is the first step toward sainthood and requires a detailed investigation of an individual’s life, writings and reputation for holiness before evidence is sent to the Vatican.Church authorities are now inviting people who knew Balestre to submit letters, diaries, personal testimonies and reminiscences that may help document his life and faith.Father Joseph Evans, who performed the last rites at Ballester, welcomed the news.“I was delighted to witness firsthand Pedro’s heroic struggle in the last six months of his life,” he said.“I think he can be an example of joy in adversity, especially for young people.”As part of the early stages of the process, more than 60 people have been interviewed, including family, friends and acquaintances.Under church procedures, investigators will now examine whether Balestre exhibited the “heroic virtues” described in Catholic teaching before ultimately submitting the dossier to the Vatican for further consideration.His grave in Manchester’s South Cemetery has since become a place where Catholics from all over the world come to pay their respects.