Pope Leo XIV Canonizes Seven New Saints, Including Former Satanic Priest Turned Catholic Icon
Pope Leo XIV has canonized seven new saints, including Bartolo Longo a former Satanic priest who later became a devout Catholic and founder of the famous Marian shrine in Pompeii. The ceremony, held on Sunday, October 19, drew over 70,000 worshippers to St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican.
This marks Pope Leo XIV’s second canonization ceremony since assuming leadership of the Catholic Church in May.
Among the newly canonized, Bartolo Longo’s story stands out as one of redemption and faith. Once a high-ranking priest in a Satanic sect, Longo abandoned the occult after rediscovering his faith through the influence of his family and mentors at the University of Naples. Devoting the rest of his life to prayer and charity, he founded the Pontifical Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary of Pompeii and became widely revered before his death in 1926 at age 85.
Longo is often regarded as a symbol of spiritual transformation and a patron for those struggling with faith.
The other six new saints include an archbishop martyred during the Armenian genocide, a lay catechist from Papua New Guinea, a Venezuelan physician known as the “doctor of the poor,” and three nuns celebrated for their lifelong dedication to charitable works.
Portraits of the “seven witnesses” were unveiled in the windows overlooking St. Peter’s Square during the Mass. In his homily, Pope Leo XIV said, “Today we have before us seven witnesses, the new Saints, who, with God’s grace, kept the lamp of faith burning. May their intercession assist us in our trials and their example inspire us in our shared vocation to holiness.”
Canonization is the Catholic Church’s highest recognition of holiness, requiring proof of at least two miracles and a life of exemplary virtue.
Just last month, Pope Leo XIV also canonized Carlo Acutis widely known as “God’s Influencer” and Pier Giorgio Frassati, expanding the list of modern Catholic figures honored for their enduring faith.
