Pope Leo XIV Canonizes Seven New Saints in St. Peter's Square

Historic Canonization Ceremony Held in Rome

Pope Leo XIV today canonized seven new blessed individuals during a Sunday celebration at St. Peter's Square in Rome, Italy. The solemn ceremony, held under sunny skies, saw an estimated 55,000 people gather to witness the declaration of the new saints. This event marks the second canonization presided over by Pope Leo XIV since his election on May 8, 2025, following the canonization of Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati on September 7, 2025.

Diverse Group of New Saints Proclaimed

The seven individuals elevated to sainthood represent a diverse array of backgrounds and ministries, spanning different eras and continents. Pope Leo XIV described them as 'martyrs for their faith,' 'evangelisers and missionaries,' 'charismatic founders' of congregations, or 'benefactors of humanity.' The newly canonized saints are:

• Bartolo Longo (Italy): A lawyer who, after a period as a Satanist priest, converted to Catholicism and became a fervent promoter of the Rosary.
• Maria Troncatti (Italy/Ecuador): An Italian Salesian missionary who dedicated nearly five decades to working with the Shuar Indigenous people in Ecuador's Amazon rainforest.
• Vincenza Maria Poloni (Italy): The founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy of Verona, known for her tireless care for the elderly and sick.
• José Gregorio Hernández (Venezuela): A physician and scientist revered as the 'Doctor of the Poor' for his charitable medical care.
• Mother María Carmen Rendiles (Venezuela): A religious sister who founded the Servants of Jesus, known for her deep sense of peace and trust in God.
• Ignatius Choukrallah Maloyan (Ottoman Empire/Armenia): An Armenian Catholic archbishop martyred in 1915 during the Armenian genocide for refusing to renounce his Christian faith.
• Peter To Rot (Papua New Guinea): A lay catechist martyred during World War II, who becomes the first saint from Papua New Guinea.

Significance of the Pontificate's Second Canonization

The canonization ceremony underscores Pope Leo XIV's ongoing efforts to recognize individuals whose lives exemplify profound faith and service. Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago in 1955, Pope Leo XIV is the first American-born Pope and was elected to the papacy on May 8, 2025. His pontificate has already seen significant events, including this second major canonization, highlighting figures who offer inspiration across various aspects of Christian life, from missionary work and charitable service to martyrdom and profound personal conversion.