Manchester-born student on path to becoming Catholic Church's first Gen Z saint

A Manchester-born student is on the path to becoming the Catholic Church's first "Gen Z" saint.

Pedro Ballester, 21, who died in 2018, has been put forward as a potential saint by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Salford.

The diocese announced it had formally opened the "cause for the canonisation" of the student, setting the stage for an examination of his life and writings to be presented to the Pope.

"We are pleased to announce the opening of the Cause for the Beatification and Canonisation of Pedro Ballester, a young Manchester man whose life of faith and witness continues to inspire many," said the dioceses.

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Mr Ballester died on January 13, 2018 from an aggressive cancer which halted his studies to be a chemical engineer.

His funeral was attended by over 500 people - including future Cardinal Arthur Roche, who flew from the Vatican to pay his respects at the Holy Name Church on Oxford Road.

Father Joseph Evans, who gave him his last rites, said he was "delighted" by Mr Ballester's potential canonisation.

He said: "I'm delighted having witnessed at first hand Pedro's heroic struggle in the last six months of his life.

"I feel he can be a great model of joy in adversity particularly for young people."

The formal process sees the diocese inviting Catholics to submit any information which might "help to build a full picture of Pedro's life, virtues and reputation for holiness".

These can include written materials, such as letters or diaries, and personal testimonies.

More than 60 friends, family, and acquaintances were interviewed by the church before the announcement.

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The Catholic Church will now determine if Mr Ballester lived a life of "heroic virtue" - a life of faith, hope, and love surpassing ordinary human capability.

He was also a member of Catholic organisation Opus Dei, committing himself to be a lay member who would devote himself to God in his working life.

His grave has become a site for "pilgrims", drawing Catholics from across the world to visit the Southern Cemetery Manchester.

The move for Mr Ballester to become the first Gen Z saint follows the canonisation of London-born Carlo Acutis last year, who died in 2006 and became the first millennial saint.

Saint Carlo Acutis died of leukemia and has been called the "patron saint of the internet" for his work creating a website for his parish, promoting volunteering, and listing Eucharistic materials.

After the cause for canonisation is opened, the next step is the recognition of a miracle to become beatified.

After a second miracle is recognised and verified, a beatified person becomes canonised, which on average has taken 181 years.

Carlo Acutis was canonised only 19 years after his death by Pope Leo XIV.

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