'Extraordinary' student could be on the path to sainthood

Pedro Ballester

A 'extraordinary' young student from Manchester who died in 2018, could be on the path to sainthood. Church authorities are currently studying the life of Pedro Ballester and interviewing his relatives and friends, to ascertain whether he achieved a life of 'heroic virtue' - living a living a life of faith, hope and love surpassing ordinary human capabilities.

One of three brothers, their Spanish -born father, is a surgeon working in Huddersfield. Pedro died on 13 January 2018, at the age of 21 of an aggressive cancer. He had only recently begun studying Chemical Engineering at Imperial College in London.

During his short life he made a great impression on many people through his cheerfulness, kindness to others, capacity for friendship and many other virtues.

During his illness, he made friends with other cancer patients and got them to sign a card to Pope Francis - then managed to deliver it to him in person.

In an interview with the BBC his father said: "Pedro took that card to the Pope and then he told him 'I just wanted to let you know that I got cancer, and I offer all the sufferings for you and for the Church.'"

His family were stunned when more than 500 people attended his funeral at the Holy Name Church in Manchester. Mourners included the future Cardinal Arthur Roche, who flew over from the Vatican.

Pedro was buried in Southern Cemetery Manchester, where several other famous Catholics including former Manchester United manager Sir Matt Busby and music mogul Tony Wilson are resting. His father said his grave is already attracting "pilgrims".

A friend wrote: "He was both a very normal and very good young man, serious but joyful, and with a character that revealed both his Spanish background and his upbringing in the North of England. He had a Latin sociable character mixed with Northern grit. He was therefore both sociable and straightforward, eschewing all fuss and sentimentality, but he greatly enjoyed company and was a great friend to his friends. His faith went deep and he was happy to share it with others, but in a very natural way."

Jack Valero from Opus Dei, which is promoting Pedro's cause, told ICN: "Devotion to Pedro is growing all over the world. In the website dedicated to Pedro by one of his friends there are reports of over 150 favours that people have obtained from God through Pedro's intercession. The prayer card asking for his intercession has been translated into 28 languages including Chinese, Arabic and Vietnamese."

The first canonisations of Pope Leo XIV's papacy, in September 2025, were of Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis. In his homily, Pope Leo said the "extraordinary witnesses of these two young Saints invites all of us, especially young people, to direct our lives upwards to God and make them masterpieces of holiness, service, and joy."

Jack Valero said devotees of Pedro see him as a close friend whose example and prayers help them. He added: "We see in the Church more and more young people like St Carlo Acutis and Pedro who can help people of their generation find God and happiness in their lives."

LINKS

Read more about Pedro Ballester: www.pedroballester.org.uk/.

See also: ICN 25 January 2018 Pedro Ballester: 'An athlete along the track of love': www.indcatholicnews.com/news/34222