Why was Mother Teresa important?

Mother Teresa was beloved for her work in helping poor people and was known for being generous, kind and compassionate. She achieved much in her lifetime, including being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.

Mother Teresa, also known as Teresa of Calcutta, was born on August 26, 1910, and was named Gonxha Agnes. Just a few short years after her death in 1997, she was quickly beatified by Pope John Paul II. Beatification is the third step on the road to sainthood. As of 2014, Mother Teresa is still awaiting sainthood, although the public has been calling for her canonization since shortly after her death.