International News

Pope to Hold Consistory July 1 on Canonization of Carlo Acutis, Others

Pope Francis recognized May 23, 2024, the second miracle needed for the canonization of Italian Blessed Carlo Acutis, who died of leukemia in 2006 at the age of 15. He is pictured in an undated photo. (Photo: CNS/courtesy Sainthood Cause of Carlo Acutis)

By Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Although Pope Francis usually takes the month of July off — except for leading the recitation of the Angelus on Sundays — he will hold a consistory with cardinals in Rome July 1 for the final approval of the canonization of several sainthood candidates, according to the master of papal liturgical ceremonies.

In late May, the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints said Pope Francis would be convoking the meeting of cardinals to vote on approving the canonizations of Blessed Carlo Acutis, an Italian teen and computer whiz; Blessed Giuseppe Allamano, founder of the Consolata Missionaries; eight Franciscan friars and three Maronite laymen who were martyred in Syria in 1860; Canada-born Blessed Marie-Léonie Paradis, founder of the Little Sisters of the Holy Family; and Blessed Elena Guerra, an Italian nun who founded the Oblates of the Holy Spirit.

The date or dates for the canonizations could be announced during the ceremony.

The July 1 appointment for the consistory was among the events listed on the pope’s schedule for June through September and published June 3 by Archbishop Diego Ravelli, master of papal liturgical ceremonies. Events or even trips that do not include a Mass or prayer service are not included on the archbishop’s list.

The schedule begins with the celebration of a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica June 29, the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul. During the Mass, the pope will bless the palliums, woolen stoles worn by the heads of archdioceses, and give them to archbishops named in the past year.

Pope Francis will travel to Trieste in northern Italy July 7.

He will visit Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste e Singapore Sept. 2-13.

And he will travel again Sept. 26-29, visiting Luxembourg and Belgium.