Pope Leo XIV’s historic canonization of seven new saints, including a former satanic priest, marked an unprecedented moment that demonstrates the Catholic Church’s bold embrace of redemption while honoring martyrs and missionaries from across the globe.
Story Highlights
- Bartolo Longo, a former satanic practitioner turned Catholic saint, was canonized in a groundbreaking ceremony.
- The first-ever saint from Papua New Guinea is among seven diverse new saints recognized.
- Armenian genocide martyr officially elevated to sainthood, acknowledging historical persecution.
- Over 65,000 faithful gathered at St. Peter’s Square for the World Mission Day ceremony.
Historic Canonization Breaks New Ground
Pope Leo XIV canonized seven individuals as saints on October 19, 2025, in a ceremony at St. Peter’s Square that drew between 55,000 and 70,000 worshippers.
The most remarkable inclusion was Bartolo Longo, an Italian lawyer born in 1841 who practiced satanic rites before converting to Catholicism and dedicating his life to charitable works.
This canonization represents the first time in modern Church history that a former satanic priest has been elevated to sainthood.
Diverse Saints Reflect Global Church Mission
The ceremony recognized saints spanning multiple continents and centuries, including Peter To Rot, who became Papua New Guinea’s first saint.
Venezuelan doctor Jose Gregorio Hernandez Cisneros, known as the “doctor of the poor,” joined Italian religious figures Vincenza Maria Poloni and Maria Troncatti, along with Venezuelan Carmen Rendiles Martinez.
This diversity aligns with recognizing virtue regardless of background while honoring those who served their communities with dedication.
Bartolo Longo, a former Satanic priest turned Catholic who devoted his life to the Rosary and the Virgin Mary following his conversion, was canonised by Pope Leo XIV today at the Vatican
Image: Angelbert Chikere pic.twitter.com/zzVPGkmWVx
— Sachin Jose (@Sachinettiyil) October 19, 2025
Armenian Martyr Receives Long-Awaited Recognition
Bishop Ignatius Maloyan, martyred during the Armenian genocide, was among those canonized, bringing official Church recognition to victims of historical persecution.
This acknowledgment reinforces the importance of standing against religious oppression and genocide, values that resonate deeply with Americans who understand the consequences of unchecked government power.
The inclusion demonstrates the Church’s commitment to honoring those who died defending their faith against tyrannical forces.
Pope Leo XIV canonizes former Satanic priest and 6 other new saints https://t.co/0ABjkhbKqX pic.twitter.com/XRCtMqBGhq
— New York Post (@nypost) October 22, 2025
Redemption Message Emphasizes Personal Transformation
Pope Leo XIV praised the new saints as “witnesses who kept the lamp of faith burning” during his homily, emphasizing themes of personal redemption and transformation.
Bartolo Longo’s journey from darkness to founding the Pontifical Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary of Pompeii exemplifies the power of individual conversion and commitment to higher principles.
This message of personal responsibility and transformation aligns with conservative values that emphasize individual accountability and the possibility of meaningful change through faith and dedication.
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Nuns, teen influencer and ex-Satanic priest among seven new saints
Ex-Satanic priest among seven new saints created by Pope Leo
