From a War Martyr to a Doctor of the Poor: Pope Leo XIV Celebrates Diverse Paths to Sainthood

The Vatican on Sunday became a beacon of faith and diversity as Pope Leo XIV canonized seven new Saints from across the Globe, individuals whose lives, though separated by time, culture, and circumstance, converged in a shared story of courage, compassion, and unshakable belief.
The canonization, held on October 19, 2025, at St. Peter’s Square before a crowd of more than 55,000 worshippers, was the second of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate — and one that reflected his vision of a universal Church rooted in service and sacrifice.
Each of the seven saints honored in the historic ceremony carried a unique legacy: Peter To Rot, the young catechist from Papua New Guinea martyred for defending his faith during Japan’s wartime occupation; Archbishop Ignazio Choukrallah Maloyan, executed during the 1915 Armenian genocide; and Venezuela’s beloved Dr. José Gregorio Hernández, known for treating the poor free of charge.
Also among the canonized was Sister María Carmen Elena Rendiles, born without a left arm yet founding a thriving congregation of nuns; Italian nun Vincenza Maria Poloni, who dedicated her life to the sick; and Salesian missionary Maria Troncatti, who brought education and healing to indigenous people in Ecuador.
Rounding out the group was Bartolo Longo, once a Satanic priest who became a symbol of redemption and Marian devotion after establishing the Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Pompeii.
In his homily, Pope Leo praised their lives as “stories of light born from struggle,” calling on believers to find hope in their perseverance. “These witnesses,” he said, “show us that holiness is not perfection, but love lived to the extreme.”
The ceremony was filled with the sound of bells, the flutter of flags, and emotional chants in multiple languages, which underscored the Global reach of the Church.
It also highlighted the Pope’s growing emphasis on inclusivity, drawing attention to saints who represent not only priests and nuns but also laypeople, doctors, and ordinary believers.
As their images were unveiled above St. Peter’s Square, applause broke out across the crowd. It was a vivid reminder that sainthood, as Pope Leo XIV continues to emphasize, belongs to every corner of the human story — to the wounded, the humble, and the redeemed alike.