In Catholic teaching, martyrdom signifies death suffered for one's faith. This significant act is a recognized stage in the process of canonization, the Church's formal recognition of a person's holiness. Martyrdom, by its nature, provides strong evidence of holiness, demonstrating ultimate commitment to Christ. A Church investigation assesses the circumstances of the death, verifying its connection to faith. This rigorous process, involving extensive documentation and testimony, aims to confirm the martyrdom. If the investigation concludes that the death was indeed a martyrdom, this leads to beatification, a preliminary step toward canonization. Final canonization, declaring the individual a saint, requires a further Church investigation and a declaration by the Pope.