On 5 July 2018, the Holy Father Francis received in audience His Eminence Cardinal Angelo Amato, S.D.B., prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. During the audience, the Supreme Pontiff authorized the Congregation to promulgate the decrees regarding:

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Pietro Di Vitale, layperson; born on 14 December 1916 in Castronovo di Sicilia, Italy, and died there on 29 January 1977;

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Giorgio La Pira, layperson; born on 9 January 1904 in Pozzallo, Italy, and died in Florence, Italy on 5 November 1977;

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Alexia González-Barros y González, layperson, born on 7 March 1971 in Madrid, Spain, and died in Pamplona, Spain on 5 December 1985;

- the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Carlo Acutis, layperson, born on 3 May 1991 in London, England, and died in Monza, Italy on 12 October 2006.