A Vatican body dedicated to documenting modern persecution of the faithful has confirmed that more than 1,700 Christians have died for their beliefs since the turn of the millennium. The Commission for New Martyrs and Witnesses of the Faith announced the figure during a meeting in Rome on Tuesday.
Expanding the Record of Witness
The commission, established by Pope Francis in 2023 as an offshoot of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, continues to gather data from around the globe. Fabio Fabene, secretary of the dicastery and president of the commission, stated that the body “continues to collect notifications and information about Christians who died because of the Gospel in all parts of the world.”
This year alone, between 100 and 150 new names were added to the registry. The list includes Catholics as well as Christians from other denominations, reflecting a broad ecclesial witness. While not every individual recorded will undergo canonization, the commission noted that beatification or canonization procedures may begin for some candidates if the necessary conditions are met.
Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, prefect of the dicastery, emphasized the broader spiritual significance of these deaths. “The grace of holiness in the Church is manifested—though not limited to—in canonizations,” he said. Andrea Riccardi serves as vice-president of the commission, assisting in the oversight of this growing archive of martyrdom.
Global Scope of Persecution
The commission organized a two-day international congress this week titled “The 21st Century, a New Age of Martyrs?” to examine the nature of modern persecution. The event features speakers from regions heavily affected by violence against Christians.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, addressed the peaceful role of Christians in the Holy Land. His participation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Christian communities in the Middle East. In 2023, Pope Francis added 21 Coptic Christian martyrs to the Roman Martyrology, recognizing their witness in Egypt.
In Africa, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, archbishop of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, also spoke at the congress. The source material notes high levels of bloodshed against Christians in Nigeria, Mozambique, and Burkina Faso. In August, Islamic State terrorists claimed responsibility for the deaths of 130 Christians.
Martyrdom in the Americas
The Vatican has documented 304 martyrs in South America so far this century. Many of these individuals were killed for reasons related to drug trafficking, deforestation, or opposing the exploitation of natural resources. This pattern suggests that martyrdom in the region is often linked to defense of human dignity and environmental stewardship.
The congress will examine persecution across four major regions: the Holy Land, Europe, the Americas, and Asia. By bringing together data from these diverse contexts, the commission aims to provide a comprehensive picture of how Christians are suffering for their faith in the 21st century.
Pope Leo XIV has shown interest in the spiritual heritage of the Church, recently releasing an English collection of Augustinian writings that explores themes of grace and community. As pilgrims prepare for World Youth Day in Seoul under his pontificate , the focus on new martyrs offers a contemporary witness to the call to holiness.