Del Portillo died in March 23, 1994 in Rome a few hours after he visited the Holy Land and celebrated his last Mass in the historic Cenacle, traditionally recognized as the place where Jesus Christ took the last supper as the first Mass.
The miracle that led to Del Portillo’s beatification was the instantaneous healing of Chilean newborn baby, Jose Ignacio Ureta Wilson in 2003. The boy suffered a cardiac arrest lasting more than 30 minutes and a massive hemorrhage. The medical team considered the baby dead, when unexpectedly, his heart started to beat again.
His parents had been praying for his revival through the intercession of Bishop Alvaro del Portillo. Ten years later Jose Ignacio is living a normal life.