Kolbe was beatified in 1971 and canonised on October 10, 1982 by Pope John Paul II. One man who attended both functions was Franciskzek Gajowniczek, who was the man he saved. There was some controversy in the decision, however, to canonise Kolbe, as technically speaking he had not been a martyr, his death was an act of heroic charity. However as Pope John said "The systematic hatred of humanity propagated by the Nazi regime was in itself inherently an act of hatred of religious (Christian) faith, meaning Kolbe's death equated to martyrdom."