Communist-era victims Bula and Drbola beatified in Brno

Catholic priests Jan Bula and Václav Drbola, who were executed by the communist regime in the 1950s, were beatified during a special Mass in Brno on Saturday. The ceremony marked the culmination of a process that lasted more than two decades. Beatification is a major step towards sainthood in the Catholic Church.

Bula and Drbola were among the victims of communist persecution following the so-called Babice events. They will now be commemorated annually on June 17 in the Church's liturgical calendar.

More than 13,000 people attended the ceremony, which was led by Cardinal Michael Czerny on behalf of Pope Leo XIV. During the Mass, the cardinal formally proclaimed the two priests Blessed in the name of the Pope.