# Five Franciscan Missionaries Beatified in Georgia

> Five Spanish Franciscan missionaries killed in 1597 are proclaimed Blessed in Savannah beatification.
- Title: Five Franciscan Missionaries Beatified in Georgia | Shortify
- Summary: Five Spanish Franciscan missionaries killed in 1597 are proclaimed Blessed in Savannah beatification. Five Spanish Franciscan missionaries who died serving…
- Keywords: franciscan, missionaries, georgia, beatification, saints, united states, church, pope, cardinal, leo, religion, world
- Source: Vaticannews — https://vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2026-10/franciscan-missionaries-beatified-georgia-cardinal-leo.html
- Author: Vatican News
- Published: 2026-10-31T17:10:33.906+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: franciscan, missionaries, georgia, beatification, saints, united states, church, pope, cardinal, leo, religion, world
## Beatification Event
Five Spanish Franciscan missionaries were proclaimed Blessed during a beatification in Savannah on 31 October 2026.

> The five Franciscans were among the missionaries who travelled from Spain to the region in the late sixteenth century to preach the Gospel and serve the Guale communities.
## Who Were the Martyrs
Pedro de Corpa, Blas Rodríguez, Miguel de Áñon, Antonio de Badajoz and Francisco de Veráscola were killed in 1597.

> The five Franciscans were among the missionaries who travelled from Spain to the region in the late sixteenth century to preach the Gospel and serve the Guale communities.
## Cause of Death
They died after opposing a Guale leader's decision to take a second wife in 1597.

> Their deaths followed an uprising in 1597, after Friar Pedro de Corpa opposed the decision of a Guale leader, Juanillo, to take a second wife, contrary to Christian teaching on marriage.
## Beatification Timeline
The Church recognized them as martyrs in January 2025, leading to beatification in October 2026.

> The Church formally recognized the five friars as martyrs in January 2025, when Pope Francis authorized the promulgation of the relevant decree, paving the way for their beatification.
## Cardinal Leo's Message
Cardinal Leo linked beatification to U.S. Declaration of Independence and St Francis of Assisi's death anniversary.

> Cardinal Leo emphasized that the recognition of the five missionaries is not simply an honour for the local Church, but a gift for the universal Church.
## Call to Renewal
Cardinal Leo urged Christians to follow the martyrs' example in unity and reconciliation.

> There are some things today that are still worth living and dying for.
## Key takeaway

Five Spanish Franciscan missionaries who died serving Indigenous Guale people in Georgia in 1597 were beatified as Blessed.