Another Filipina nun closer to sainthood

MANILA - Vatican has declared another Filipina nun as "venerable."

Rome bestowed the title upon Mother Francisca Del Espiritu Santo De Fuentes on Saturday, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said.

Mother Francisca, founder of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena, died in Manila in 1711. She is buried in the Church of the Collegio de San Juan de Letran.

Following the declaration, Mother Francisca will be approved for beatification once a miracle is attributed to her intercession. With the pope's approval of a decree of a miracle, the person can now be beatified, earning him or her the title of "blessed."

A second miracle is needed before proceeding to canonization, which would then lead to her official declaration as "saint."

Last month, Pope Francis also declared as venerable Filipina nun Maria Beatrice Rosario Arroyo, the great great grandaunt of former first gentleman Mike Arroyo.

• Mike Arroyo's great, great grandaunt now a step closer to sainthood