The Vatican beatifies a Polish family of 9 killed by the Nazis for sheltering Jews

By MONIKA SCISLOWSKA
Associated Press

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — The Vatican has beatified a Polish family of nine including children who were all executed for having sheltered Jews during World War II. It was an unprecedented move. Pope Francis declared the Ulma family martyrs for the Catholic faith last year. That paved the way for the beatification Mass that took place Sunday in the village of Markowa. The Ulmas were killed there in 1944 together with the eight Jews they were hiding at home. The Catholic Church faced a dilemma because the Ulmas’ unborn child had not been baptized. The Vatican’s saint-making office issued a clarification last week saying the child received “baptism by blood” and can be beatified.