January 21, 2021
7:09 PM ET
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Pope Francis may soon declare that a pro-life French doctor who discovered the genetic basis of Down Syndrome is a saint.
The pope approved Dr. Jerome Lejeune’s “heroic virtues” Thursday, the Associated Press reported, indicating that Lejeune is now considered “venerable” by the Catholic Church.
Before he can be sainted he must be beatified, meaning the Vatican must confirm that a miracle took place through his intercession. The Vatican must then confirm a second miracle occurred through his intercession for him to be sainted.
Born June 13, 1926, in Montrouge, France, Lejeune discovered the existence of an extra chromosome while studying a child’s chromosomes in 1958, according to the Catholic News Agency.
Pope advances sainthood causes of pro-life geneticist Lejeune, others
Jerome Lejeune, a French Catholic pediatrician and geneticist who died in 1994, is pictured in an undated photo. Pope Francis has advanced the sainthood cause of Lejeune, who was involved in discovering the extra chromosome that causes Down syndrome. (CNS photo/KNA)
By Carol Glatz • Catholic News Service • Posted January 21, 2021
VATICAN CITY (CNS) Pope Francis advanced the sainthood causes of eight men and women, including the pro-life French geneticist, Jerome Lejeune, and English Sister Elizabeth Prout, founder of the Sisters of the Cross and Passion.
The pope signed the decrees Jan. 21 during a meeting with Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes. The Vatican published the decrees the same day.
Down syndrome discoverer takes step towards sainthood
Jerome Lejeune s heroic virtues recognised
21 Gennaio 2021
VATICAN CITY, JAN 21 - A French Catholic priest who
is credited with discovering the genetic cause of Down syndrome
took the first step towards sainthood Thursday.
Pope Francis authorised a decree from the Congregation for the
Causes of Saints recognising the heroic virtues of Father
Jerome Lejeune (1926-1994).
This puts Lejeune on the path to beatification, a prelude to
canonisation.
His cause must now be supported by miracles his intervention
brought about.
Servant of God Jérôme Jean Louis Marie Lejeune (13 June 1926 - 3
April 1994) was a French pediatrician and geneticist, best known