Pope Benedict XVI in the UK
Holiness is not exclusive to the Catholic Church. Many cultures and religious traditions have their holy people whom they might or might not call saints.
Saints across various cultures and religions have the following common qualities:
Breakdown of the many definitions of a Saint.
The Church teaches that it does not, in fact, make anyone a saint. Rather, it recognises a saint.
We carry photos to remind us of people we love, to help us feel that they're close.
We pray with saints, not to them.