Pope John Paul II Thursday approved for sainthood an Italian woman who became a symbol for abortion opponents after giving birth despite warnings that continuing her pregnancy put her life at risk.
In a ceremony at the Vatican, John Paul declared his approval for sainthood for Gianna Beretta Molla and five other candidates for the Catholic Church's highest honor.
The canonization ceremony for the six was set for May 16, the Vatican said.
Beretta Molla, who was a Milan pediatrician, is applauded as a courageous symbol by many in the Church who back the Vatican's ban on abortion.
The woman was 39 when she died in 1962, a few days after giving birth to her fourth child. Doctors had reportedly told her it was dangerous to proceed with the pregnancy because she had a tumor in her uterus.
John Paul has made hundreds of saints since becoming pontiff in 1978, part of his drive to give fresh role models to the faithful.
Also to be honored with sainthood on May 16 is an Italian priest, Luigi Orione, who was very popular in Italy for working with the poor and handicapped before his death in 1940.
The others include an Italian priest who worked with orphans in Sicily; a 19th century Italian woman who became a nun after she was widowed; a Spaniard who founded religious orders in the 19th century; and a monk from Lebanon who assisted the poor in the 1800s.