Following the canonisation of seven new Saints in St Peter’s Square on Sunday, Pope Leo XIV addressed pilgrims who had travelled from all over the world for the event. He described Sunday’s celebration as one “reminds us that the communion of the Church embraces all the faithful, across space and time, in every language and culture, uniting us as the People of God, the Body of Christ, and the living temple of the Holy Spirit.”
Describing, instead, the new saints, the Pope emphasised that their lives were wholly offered in love for Christ and others and that they are “radiant signs of hope”. Holiness, he added, is a calling shared by all.
Saint Ignatius Maloyan
Reflecting on each of the new saints, Pope Leo first recalled Bishop Ignatius Maloyan, who was martyred in Armenia, describing him as “a pastor after Christ’s own heart.” In times of persecution, the Pope explained, he strengthened his flock rather than abandoning them. When asked to renounce his faith for freedom, he chose God even to the shedding of his own blood.
Reflecting on “the Armenian people, who carve the cross into stone as a sign of their firm and enduring faith,” the Pope prayed that Saint Ignatius’ intercession may renew believers’ fervour and bring reconciliation and peace.
Saint Peter To Rot
Turning then to the new Saint of Papua New Guinea, Pope Leo refelected on Saint Peter To Rot as an exemple of steadfastness. An ordinary catechist, he risked his life to continue his pastoral work secretly during the Second World War, and defended the sanctity of marriage against polygamy, confronting powerful authorities when needed.
Pope Leo recalled the now saint’s words – “This is a very bad time for us and we are all afraid. But God our Father is with us” – and urged the faithful to defend the truths of faith and to rely on God in all trials.
Venezuelan Saints
Celebrating then Saint José Gregorio Hernández and Saint Carmen Rendiles, both from Venezuela, the Pope highlighted their heroic virtues of faith, hope, and charity and invited the failthful gathered to use them as guidance for today. Faith transforms ordinary life into light for others; hope reminds us that struggles are not for fleeting ends; and charity, born from receiving God’s gift, calls us to serve the sick, the poor, and the small.
And with this in mind, he encouraged the those present to see in those around them “brothers and sisters called to the same holiness,” walking together in building God’s Kingdom with joy.
Saint Maria Troncatti and Saint Vincenza Maria Poloni
Speaking then of Saint Maria Troncatti, a Salesian missionary in Ecuador, Pope Leo stressed that she healed bodies and hearts through love drawn from faith and prayer. Saint Vincenza Maria Poloni, founder of the Sisters of Mercy, instead, embodied Christ’s compassion for the sick and marginalised. Their lives, he continued, show that holiness flourishes in service to the fragile.
Saint Bartolo Longo
Finally, the Pope described Saint Bartolo Longo, whom he said was once distant from faith before devoting himself to works of mercy for orphans, the poor, and the desperate, and promoted devotion to the Rosary. Pope Leo encouraged all those present to use this example to contemplate Christ’s mysteries through Mary’s eyes.
Bringing his address to a close, Pope Leo asked that the faithful return to their homelands “with hearts full of gratitude and the desire to imitate the new Saints”. – Vatican News
