Francesco II of Bourbon Continues His Journey Toward the Altars

Francesco II di Borbone, ora pro nobis

I am pleased to share a recent update regarding the Cause of Beatification and Canonization of His Majesty Francesco II di Borbone, the last King of the Two Sicilies. As many devotees of the saintly sovereign know, efforts to advance his cause have been underway for several years. This article at Il Quotidiano della Costiera (IQDC) provides an overview of the canonical process currently being followed by the Church to examine his life, the heroic practice of the Christian virtues, his reputation for holiness, and any signs attributed to his intercession.

Among the important developments discussed are the formal appointment of a Postulator in 2019 and the favorable disposition expressed by the Archdiocese of Naples in 2020 to proceed with opening the cause. The Holy See has since requested an additional procedural step through the Campanian Bishops’ Conference before the diocesan phase of the investigation can officially begin. Once opened, this phase will gather and examine evidence both for and against the cause, allowing for a thorough and rigorous evaluation of Francesco II’s life of Christian virtue.

Should the Church ultimately recognize the heroic nature of his virtues, Francesco II would be declared Venerable. The recognition of a miracle attributed to his intercession would then be required for beatification, followed by a second miracle for canonization.

The original article is in Italian. I encourage all those devoted to the memory of Francesco II and interested in the progress of his Cause to read it in full:

Francesco II di Borbone, prosegue il cammino verso gli altari: lo stato dell’iter canonico

May God grant that the Church be able to fully examine the life and virtues of this faithful Catholic king, whose dignity in exile, fidelity in suffering, and unwavering devotion to Christ continue to inspire many throughout the former Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and beyond.