Pope advances sainthood cause of nuns who died in Ebola outbreak The pope signed the decrees during a meeting with Cardinal Marcello Semeraro Trending Pope Francis waves from the window of the apostolic palace overlooking St. Peter's Square on Feb. 21 during the weekly Angelus prayer in the Vatican. (Photo: Vincenzo Pinto/AFP) Pope Francis has advanced the sainthood cause of three Italian nuns who died from the Ebola virus while ministering to patients in Congo. The pope signed the decrees Feb. 20 during a meeting with Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, prefect of the Congregation for Saints' Causes. The Vatican published the decrees the same day.