Blessed Charles De Foucauld (1858-1916), a French aristocrat and religious who was one of the pioneers of dialogue with other cultures and religions, is set to become a saint, the Vatican said Monday.
Pope Francis will canonise him and others on May 3, it said.
De Foucauld was a cavalry officer in the French Army, then an explorer and geographer, and finally a Catholic priest and hermit who lived among the Tuareg in the Sahara in Algeria.
He was assassinated in 1916 and is considered by the Church to be a martyr.
His inspiration and writings led to the founding of the Little Brothers of Jesus among other religious congregations.
Last May Pope Francis cleared the way for his canonization.
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