His murder victim becomes saint

International News Photos (New York, N.Y.) · June 24, 1950

It is doubtful that if ever before in the history of the world a killer lived to see his victim become a saint of the roman catholic church. this 67-year-old man, an inmate of an italian monastry, has that distinction. he is allessandro serenelli, who 50 years ago stabbed to death 12-year-old maria goretti when she resisted his criminal attack. tonight maria will be canonized with all the colorful ritual of the church in open-air ceremonies in st. peter's square with pope pius officiating. it was reported that serenelli might be in the crowd that will attend.