Pope recognises man's martyrdom

Pope Benedict XVI has approved recognition of martyrdom for an Austrian who was beheaded by the Nazis for refusing to serve in Hitler's army, setting the stage for the man to be made a saint.

The pontiff authorised a Vatican decree recognising Franz Jaegerstaetter's death in 1943 as martyrdom.

Ten years ago, a Berlin court exonerated Jaegerstaetter, who was drafted after the annexation of his native Austria, for refusing to serve.

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