Vatican raises status of Mary Magdalene to match apostles

ROME: The Catholic Church said on Friday it had raised the status of the holy figure of Mary Magdalene to match that of Jesus’s 12 apostles.

The Vatican said that the annual memorial day for the saint on July 22 would be made into a “feast”, a day of importance in the liturgical calendar that celebrates key events in the life of Jesus Christ.

“It’s a small step up in the Who’s Who of religious figures, but a giant leap for the appreciation of the role of women in the church,” Vatican Radio said.

Pope Francis had called for the change in the holy status of Mary Magdalene, who he said was greatly loved by Jesus, the Vatican said.

A disciple of Jesus, Mary Magdalene was one of the women to have stayed with Jesus during his crucifixion and to have mourned for him at his grave, according to Christian teachings.

She was also said to be the first to see Jesus after he was resurrected and to have spread the news to his disciples. – ANA-dpa