In the square, thousands of people were waiting for this moment.
For the name of their saint to echo powerfully in the center of St. Peter’s Square. The most acclaimed was José Gregorio Hernández, known as the “doctor of the poor,” from Venezuela. His canonization brought thousands of his fellow countrymen to the Vatican.
However, he was not the only blessed person canonized. Leo XIV declared six others as saints, including two martyrs: Turkish bishop Ignatius C. Maloyan and a catechist from Papua New Guinea, Peter To Rot.
This was the moment when Leo XIV solemnly approved the inscription of their names in the book of saints.
During the homily, he once again emphasized that the Gospel is a call to action—that no saint is indifferent to the cry of the poor.
LEO XIV
Let us ask ourselves, then: when we hear the call of those in need, are we witnesses of the Father’s love, as Christ was toward all? He is the humble one who calls the powerful to conversion, the righteous one who makes us righteous, as today’s new saints bear witness—not heroes or champions of some ideal, but true men and women.
At the end, the Pope thanked the authorities and official delegations present. Among them was the President of Lebanon, a country Leo XIV will visit at the end of November.
He also sent greetings to the representatives of the large international procession of the Lord of Miracles.
This was one of the most widely attended liturgical celebrations—with up to 70,000 faithful.
