Why did some Catholics honor Girolamo Savonarola as a saint after his death?

After his death, many Catholics venerated Girolamo Savonarola as a saint due to the stark contrast between his austere, pious life and the perceived licentiousness of Pope Alexander VI, who had condemned him. His followers were moved by his prophetic visions, which they believed had come true, and by his dedication to moral reform and Christian apologetics, as demonstrated in his work Triumphus crucis.12

Following his execution, a dedicated cult emerged that persisted for a long time. Notable figures later canonized by the church, such as St. Philip Neri and St. Catherine de’ Ricci, openly venerated him as a saint. During this period, miracles attributed to him were recorded, and he was frequently depicted in art and on medals bearing the title of beatus ("blessed"). Although he was never formally beatified by the church, his memory remained a source of inspiration for those who resisted political corruption and sought spiritual renewal.12