Pope Leo XIV canonizes seven saints, urges pilgrims to emulate their faith and service as signs of hope in a world craving God’s love.
Newsroom (20/10/2025, Gaudium Press ) In an address to pilgrims gathered in Rome for the canonization of seven new saints, Pope Leo XIV called the newly canonized figures “radiant signs of hope” whose lives of love and service to Christ offer a universal call to holiness. Speaking after Sunday’s canonization Mass in St. Peter’s Square, the Holy Father emphasized that the Church’s communion unites all faithful “across space and time, in every language and culture” as the People of God, the Body of Christ, and the living temple of the Holy Spirit.
The Pope reflected on the lives of the new saints—Ignatius Choukrallah Maloyan, Peter To Rot, Vincenza Maria Poloni, Maria del Monte Carmelo Rendiles Martínez, Maria Troncatti, José Gregorio Hernández Cisneros, and Bartolo Longo—urging the faithful to draw inspiration from their examples of faith, courage, and charity.
Saint Ignatius Maloyan: A Martyr’s Steadfast Faith Pope Leo first highlighted Bishop Ignatius Maloyan, martyred in Armenia, as “a pastor after Christ’s own heart.” During times of persecution, Maloyan chose to strengthen his flock rather than flee, ultimately giving his life rather than renouncing his faith. The Pope connected Maloyan’s witness to the Armenian people’s tradition of carving crosses into stone, a symbol of enduring faith. He prayed that the saint’s intercession would renew believers’ fervor and foster reconciliation and peace.
Saint Peter To Rot: Courage in Crisis Turning to Saint Peter To Rot of Papua New Guinea, the Pope praised the catechist’s steadfastness during World War II. Despite risks, To Rot continued his pastoral work in secret and boldly defended the sanctity of marriage against polygamy, even confronting powerful authorities. Quoting the saint’s words—“This is a very bad time for us and we are all afraid. But God our Father is with us”—Pope Leo urged the faithful to uphold the truths of faith and trust in God amid trials.
Venezuelan Saints: Guiding Lights of Virtue Celebrating Venezuela’s Saint José Gregorio Hernández and Saint Carmen Rendiles, the Pope highlighted their heroic virtues of faith, hope, and charity. He described how faith transforms ordinary lives into light for others, hope anchors struggles in eternal purpose, and charity, rooted in God’s love, compels service to the sick, poor, and marginalized. The Pope encouraged pilgrims to see those around them as “brothers and sisters called to the same holiness,” united in building God’s Kingdom with joy.
Saint Maria Troncatti and Saint Vincenza Maria Poloni: Service to the Fragile Pope Leo then spoke of Saint Maria Troncatti, a Salesian missionary in Ecuador, whose love, drawn from faith and prayer, healed both bodies and hearts. Similarly, Saint Vincenza Maria Poloni, founder of the Sisters of Mercy, embodied Christ’s compassion for the sick and marginalized. Their lives, the Pope said, demonstrate that holiness flourishes through service to the most vulnerable.
Saint Bartolo Longo: From Distance to Devotion Finally, the Pope reflected on Saint Bartolo Longo, who, after straying from faith, dedicated his life to works of mercy for orphans, the poor, and the desperate, and promoted devotion to the Rosary. Pope Leo encouraged the faithful to follow Longo’s example by contemplating Christ’s mysteries through Mary’s eyes.
A Call to Imitate Holiness Concluding his address, Pope Leo XIV exhorted pilgrims to return home “with hearts full of gratitude and the desire to imitate the new saints.” Their lives, he said, serve as a reminder that holiness is not reserved for a few but is a universal vocation, calling all to love Christ and serve others with unwavering faith.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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