Chiara Lubich on the road to sainthood

The cause for the beatification of Chiara Lubich, founder of the international Focolare Movement, was opened on Tuesday. The official inauguration of the Diocesan Process of Inquiry into Lubich's life, followed the praying of Vespers in the Cathedral of Frascati, near Rome.

While Chara was born in the northern Italian region of Trento, she established the International Centre for the Focolare Movement, whose charism is the promotion of peace and the unity of all people, in Frascati.

In a written message for the gathering, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said Pope Francis turns his thoughts to the occasion and "hopes that Chiara Lubich's luminous example" will inspire renewed faithfulness to Christ and generous service to the unity of the Church" among those who have taken up her "precious spiritual legacy."

Cardinal Parolin said the Pope exhorts that the life and works of Chiara Lubich be made known to the People of God. This consecrated laywoman, the Pope said, "ignited for the Church a new light on the path towards unity."