Pope Francis is canonizing Cardinal John Henry Newman, the 19th-century Anglican convert who became an immensely influential, unifying figure in both the Anglican and Catholic churches.
Francis presided over Mass on Sunday in a packed St. Peter's Square to declare Newman and four women saints.
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Pope Francis is canonizing Cardinal John Henry Newman, the 19th-century Anglican convert who became an immensely influential, unifying figure in both the Anglican and Catholic churches.
Newman is admired by Catholics and Anglicans alike because he followed his conscience at great personal cost. When he defected from the Church of England to the Catholic Church in 1845, he lost friends, work and even family ties, believing the truth he was searching for could only be found in the Catholic faith.
Britain's Prince Charles talks with Archbishop Edgar Pena Parra, the substitute secretary for general affairs in the Vatican Secretariat of State, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. Pope Francis canonizes Cardinal John Henry Newman, the 19th century Anglican convert who became an immensely influential thinker in both Anglican and Catholic churches, and four other women. (AP PhotoAlessandra Tarantino)
Britain's Prince Charles attends a canonization Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. Pope Francis canonizes Cardinal John Henry Newman, the 19th century Anglican convert who became an immensely influential thinker in both Anglican and Catholic churches, and four other women. (AP PhotoAlessandra Tarantino)
Tapestries hanging from the facade of St. Peter's Basilica portray from left, Giuseppina Vannini, John Henry Newman and Maria Teresa Chiramel Mankidiyan, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. Pope Francis canonizes Cardinal John Henry Newman, the 19th century Anglican convert who became an immensely influential thinker in both Anglican and Catholic churches, and four other women. (AP PhotoAlessandra Tarantino)
Britain's Prince Charles sits by Italian President Sergio Mattarella as they attend a canonization Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. Pope Francis canonizes Cardinal John Henry Newman, the 19th century Anglican convert who became an immensely influential thinker in both Anglican and Catholic churches, and four other women. (AP PhotoAlessandra Tarantino)
Priests arrive to attend a canonization Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. Pope Francis canonizes Cardinal John Henry Newman, the 19th century Anglican convert who became an immensely influential thinker in both Anglican and Catholic churches, and four other women. (AP PhotoAlessandra Tarantino)
Pilgrims hold pictures of Maria Teresa Chiramel Mankidiyan, one of the four women to be canonized, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. Pope Francis canonizes Cardinal John Henry Newman, the 19th century Anglican convert who became an immensely influential thinker in both Anglican and Catholic churches, and four other women. (AP PhotoAlessandra Tarantino)
Britain's Prince Charles talks with Archbishop Edgar Pena Parra, the substitute secretary for general affairs in the Vatican Secretariat of State, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. Pope Francis canonizes Cardinal John Henry Newman, the 19th century Anglican convert who became an immensely influential thinker in both Anglican and Catholic churches, and four other women. (AP PhotoAlessandra Tarantino)
A Swiss guard stands guard as the tapestries of Cardinal John Henry Newman, right, and Giuseppina Vannini are seen in background, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. Pope Francis canonizes Cardinal John Henry Newman, the 19th century Anglican convert who became an immensely influential thinker in both Anglican and Catholic churches, and four other women. (AP PhotoAlessandra Tarantino)
Tapestries hanging from the facade of St. Peter's Basilica portray from left, Dulce Lopes Pontes, Giuseppina Vannini, John Henry Newman, Maria Teresa Chiramel Mankidiyan, and Margarita Bays, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. Pope Francis canonizes Cardinal John Henry Newman, the 19th century Anglican convert who became an immensely influential thinker in both Anglican and Catholic churches, and four other women. (AP PhotoAlessandra Tarantino)
Nuns hold a picture of Maria Teresa Chiramel Mankidiyan, one of the four women to be canonized, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. Pope Francis canonizes Cardinal John Henry Newman, the 19th century Anglican convert who became an immensely influential thinker in both Anglican and Catholic churches, and four other women. (AP PhotoAlessandra Tarantino)
A nun waits for the start of a canonization Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. Pope Francis canonizes Cardinal John Henry Newman, the 19th century Anglican convert who became an immensely influential thinker in both Anglican and Catholic churches, and four other women. (AP PhotoAlessandra Tarantino)
Among the luminaries on hand was Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, who penned a remarkable ode to Newman that was published in the Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano.
Priests hold candles and a crucifix during a canonization Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. Pope Francis canonizes Cardinal John Henry Newman, the 19th century Anglican convert who became an immensely influential thinker in both Anglican and Catholic churches, and four other women. (AP PhotoAlessandra Tarantino)
Newman is admired by Catholics and Anglicans alike because he followed his conscience at great personal cost. When he defected from the Church of England to the Catholic Church in 1845, he lost friends, work and even family ties, believing the truth he was searching for could only be found in the Catholic faith.
Britain's Prince Charles sits by Italian President Sergio Mattarella as they attend a canonization Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. Pope Francis canonizes Cardinal John Henry Newman, the 19th century Anglican convert who became an immensely influential thinker in both Anglican and Catholic churches, and four other women. (AP PhotoAlessandra Tarantino)
Britain's Prince Charles talks with Archbishop Edgar Pena Parra, the substitute secretary for general affairs in the Vatican Secretariat of State, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. Pope Francis canonizes Cardinal John Henry Newman, the 19th century Anglican convert who became an immensely influential thinker in both Anglican and Catholic churches, and four other women. (AP PhotoAlessandra Tarantino)
Britain's Prince Charles attends a canonization Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. Pope Francis canonizes Cardinal John Henry Newman, the 19th century Anglican convert who became an immensely influential thinker in both Anglican and Catholic churches, and four other women. (AP PhotoAlessandra Tarantino)
Tapestries hanging from the facade of St. Peter's Basilica portray from left, Giuseppina Vannini, John Henry Newman and Maria Teresa Chiramel Mankidiyan, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. Pope Francis canonizes Cardinal John Henry Newman, the 19th century Anglican convert who became an immensely influential thinker in both Anglican and Catholic churches, and four other women. (AP PhotoAlessandra Tarantino)
Britain's Prince Charles sits by Italian President Sergio Mattarella as they attend a canonization Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. Pope Francis canonizes Cardinal John Henry Newman, the 19th century Anglican convert who became an immensely influential thinker in both Anglican and Catholic churches, and four other women. (AP PhotoAlessandra Tarantino)
Priests arrive to attend a canonization Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. Pope Francis canonizes Cardinal John Henry Newman, the 19th century Anglican convert who became an immensely influential thinker in both Anglican and Catholic churches, and four other women. (AP PhotoAlessandra Tarantino)
Pilgrims hold pictures of Maria Teresa Chiramel Mankidiyan, one of the four women to be canonized, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. Pope Francis canonizes Cardinal John Henry Newman, the 19th century Anglican convert who became an immensely influential thinker in both Anglican and Catholic churches, and four other women. (AP PhotoAlessandra Tarantino)
Britain's Prince Charles talks with Archbishop Edgar Pena Parra, the substitute secretary for general affairs in the Vatican Secretariat of State, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. Pope Francis canonizes Cardinal John Henry Newman, the 19th century Anglican convert who became an immensely influential thinker in both Anglican and Catholic churches, and four other women. (AP PhotoAlessandra Tarantino)
A Swiss guard stands guard as the tapestries of Cardinal John Henry Newman, right, and Giuseppina Vannini are seen in background, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. Pope Francis canonizes Cardinal John Henry Newman, the 19th century Anglican convert who became an immensely influential thinker in both Anglican and Catholic churches, and four other women. (AP PhotoAlessandra Tarantino)
Tapestries hanging from the facade of St. Peter's Basilica portray from left, Dulce Lopes Pontes, Giuseppina Vannini, John Henry Newman, Maria Teresa Chiramel Mankidiyan, and Margarita Bays, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. Pope Francis canonizes Cardinal John Henry Newman, the 19th century Anglican convert who became an immensely influential thinker in both Anglican and Catholic churches, and four other women. (AP PhotoAlessandra Tarantino)
Nuns hold a picture of Maria Teresa Chiramel Mankidiyan, one of the four women to be canonized, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. Pope Francis canonizes Cardinal John Henry Newman, the 19th century Anglican convert who became an immensely influential thinker in both Anglican and Catholic churches, and four other women. (AP PhotoAlessandra Tarantino)
A nun waits for the start of a canonization Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. Pope Francis canonizes Cardinal John Henry Newman, the 19th century Anglican convert who became an immensely influential thinker in both Anglican and Catholic churches, and four other women. (AP PhotoAlessandra Tarantino)