On Saturday morning, 17 December, the Holy Father received in audience Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. During the audience, the Supreme Pontiff authorized the Congregation to promulgate the Decrees regarding:
— the miracle attributed to the intercession of the Venerable Servant of God Jacinto Vera, Bishop of Montevideo; born on 3 July 1813 off the Atlantic Ocean and died on 6 May 1881 in Pan de Azúcar, Uruguay;
— the martyrdom of the Servants of God Józef and Wiktoria Ulma and their seven children, killed in hatred of the faith on 24 March 1944 in Markowa, Poland;
— the offering of life of the Servant of God Franz de Castro Holzwarth, layman; born on 18 May 1942 in Barra do Piraí, Brazil and died on 14 February 1981 in Jacareí, Brazil;
— the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Ugo De Blasi, diocesan priest; born on 13 September 1918 in Lecce, Italy, and died there on 6 February 1982;
— the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Alexander Woźny, diocesan priest; born on 25 June 1910 in Uzarzewo, Poland, and died on 21 August 1983 in Poznań, Poland;
— the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Ignacy Posadzy, diocesan priest, co-founder of the Society of Christ for Polish Emigrants and Founder of the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of Christ the King for Polish Emigrants ; born on 17 February 1898 in Szadłowice, Poland, and died on 17 January 1984 in Puszczykowo, Poland;
— the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Matteo Ricci, professed religious of the Society of Jesus; born 6 October 1552 in Macerata, Italy, and died on 11 May 1610 in Beijing, China;
— the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Martin Benedict, professed priest of the Order of Friars Minor Conventional; born on 31 July 1931 in Galbani, Romania, and died on 12 July 1986 in Oneşti, Romania;
— the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Joseph Mark Figueroa, professed religious of the Society of Jesus; born on 7 October 1865 in Tinajo, Spain, and died on 19 November 1942 in Santa Fe, Argentina;
— the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Miradio della Provvidenza di San Gaetano (in the world: Giulia Bonifacio), Foundress of the Congregation of the Poor Daughters of Saint Anthony, now Franciscan Religious of Saint Anthony; born on 2 February 1863 in Castellammare di Stabia, Italy, and died on 15 December 1926 in Naples, Italy;
— the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Maria Ignazia Isacchi (in the world: Angela Caterina known as Ancilla), Foundress of the Congregation of the Ursuline Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Asola; born on 8 May 1857 in Stezzano, Italy, and died on 19 August 1934 in Seriate, Italy;
— the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Margherita Crispi (in the world: Diomira Ludovica Romana), Foundress of the Congregation of the Oblate Sisters of Divine Love; born on 19 November 1879 in Partinico, Italy, and died on 18 June 1974 in Rome, Italy;
— the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Margherita Maria Guaini (in the world: Alessia Antonia), Foundress of the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of Jesus Eternal Priest; born on 21 November 1902 in Ceto, Italy, and died on 2 March 1994 in Varallo Sesia, Italy;
— the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Maddalena Aulina Saurina, Foundress of the Secular Institute of Señoritas Operarias Parroquiales (women parish workers); born on 12 December 1897 in Banyoles, Spain, and died on 15 May 1956 in Barcelona, Spain;
— the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Teresa Veronesi, professed nun of the Congregation of the Minim Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows; born on 28 September 1870 in San Ruffillo, Italy, and died on 16 May 1950 in Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy;
— the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Luisa Guidotti Mistrali, consecrated laywoman of the Medical-Missionary Female Association; born on 17 May 1932 in Parma, Italy, and died 6 July 1979 in Mutoko (Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe).