Seven New Saints Canonized by Pope Leo XIV On October 19, 2025, one of the most solemn events of the Jubilee Year unfolded in St. Peter\u2019s Square: Pope Leo XIV canonized seven new saints, offering the Church and the world a profound message of holiness, unity, and hope. A Historic Canonization in the Heart of the Church On Sunday, October 19th, in Saint Peter\u2019s Square, Pope Leo presided over the Eucharistic celebration with the rite of canonization of seven new saints of the Catholic Church. Ignatius Maloyan, Peter To Rot, Vincenza Maria Poloni, Mar\u00eda Carmen Rendiles Mart\u00ednez, Maria Troncatti, Jos\u00e9 Gregorio Hern\u00e1ndez Cisneros, and Bartolo Longo were elevated to sainthood in a moving ceremony that highlighted the universality of the Church. Fr. Boguslaw Turek, Under-Secretary in the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, explains: \u201cThe primary requirement was for the group to be international, ensuring that the new saints represent the universal Church\u2019s holiness by coming from various regions around the world.\u201d A Universal Witness of Holiness Among the newly canonized, three hail from Italy; two from Venezuela, deeply venerated throughout Latin America; and two from Oceania and West Asia, respectively. Peter To Rot, from Papua New Guinea, is the first canonized saint from the Pacific Island nation. Ignatius Maloyan was an Armenian bishop and martyr who perished during the Ottoman genocide. The consistory in which these canonizations were officially confirmed\u2014held by Pope Leo on June 13\u2014had originally been convened by Pope Francis at the end of February, while he was still hospitalized. For both the diversity of the saints\u2019 origin and the bridging of two pontificates, the ceremony carries profound symbolic weight for the Church. As Fr. Turek notes in an exclusive interview with EWTN Vatican: \u201cWhen the Jubilee Year program was being established, the idea of a Day of Holiness was already considered\u2014an event intended to include a canonization ceremony.\u201d \u201cThe number and selection of new saints depend not only on the work of the congregation but, above all, on divine providence, because they are figures who have matured for this particular moment in time.\u201d The Theology and History Behind Canonization The privilege of canonization belongs solely to the Pope. While the rite is typically celebrated in the Vatican, it may also occur during apostolic journeys \u2014 yet always under papal authority. Mons. Roberto Regoli, Professor at the Pontifical Gregorian University, explains: \u201cThe Pope handles canonizations closely tied to his teaching infallibility. The formula used shows that he performs this act based on the authority of Saints Peter and Paul, by virtue of apostolic authority.\u201d He adds historical context: \u201cWhy did pilgrims come to Rome in the Middle Ages? Because of the tombs of Peter and Paul, where they hoped to gain the keys to heaven. During that time, many prelates, as well as kings and nobles, wished to come to Rome and be buried near Peter\u2019s tomb, believing he held the power of the keys to open paradise.\u201d Canonizations in the Modern Era The process and number of canonizations have accelerated in recent decades. This Jubilee Year thus marks a spiritually significant moment for the Church\u2019s ongoing witness to sanctity. Saints as Seeds of Hope in a Troubled World In a time of global tension and spiritual searching, the Church lifts up these new saints as models of hope and holiness. \u201cWe are living through a Jubilee Year marked by the theme of hope,\u201d Fr. Turek emphasizes. \u201cThe new saints speak directly of hope\u2014they address individual churches, the universal Church, and all of humanity. People need this message of hope, especially amid many recent concerns, not only in Europe but beyond, where peace and tranquility are under threat. This message is crucial. The lives of the new saints, both martyrs and confessors, who have dedicated their energy in different parts of the world, serve as seeds of hope.\u201d Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today EWTN Vatican on WhatsApp Magdalena Wolinska-Riedi Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter. More news related to this article Cookies and empanadas in Dilexit Nos: food references in the teachings of Pope Francis Pope Leo XIV praises the \u2018silent and hidden love\u2019 of cloistered nuns This Is Pope Francis\u2019 Prayer Intention For The Month Of March Pope Francis calls surrogacy \u2018deplorable,\u2019 calls for global ban in speech to ambassadors Pope Rests Well, Drinks coffee, And Reads Newspapers As Pneumonia Treatment Progresses An Ocean of Suffering: A Benedictine Abbot\u2019s Resolve Amidst Holy Land Conflict<\/p>\n