Vatican puts cap on costs for sainthood cases

How much does it cost to become a saint? The Vatican said today it has put a cap of sorts on the often-spiraling budgets for sainthood cases, another nod to Pope Francis' call for sobriety.

Cardinal Angelo Amato, head of the Vatican's saint-making office, announced the change during a meeting yesterday of postulators, the officials who shepherd sainthood cases through the lengthy investigations of would-be saints' lives and miracles.

He said postulators must now abide by a "reference price" to curb overall expenditure and make the process more equitable for less well-funded cases.

It's no secret that cases supported by wealthy donors often move faster through the process since more resources can be put toward the investigations.
 

Francis has said he wants a "poor church for the poor.