Vatican City: On June 13, Pope Leo XIV will preside over his first ordinary public consistory at the Vatican, where he will formally gather cardinals to approve the canonization of eight blesseds. These canonization causes were initiated under the papacy of Pope Francis, who had planned the consistory earlier this year while hospitalized, though a date had not been finalized at the time.

This pivotal gathering marks the final step in the path to sainthood, as the College of Cardinals will vote to officially set the dates for each canonization ceremony. The Vatican’s Office for Liturgical Celebrations confirmed the names of the eight blesseds whose lives of faith and heroic virtue will soon be officially recognized by the global Church.

Bartolo Longo (Italy): A former spiritualist and Satanist who underwent a radical conversion to Catholicism. He became a lawyer, a devoted lay apostle, and a passionate promoter of the Rosary. Longo founded the famous Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary in Pompeii and is hailed as one of the 20th century’s greatest champions of Marian devotion.

José Gregorio Hernández (Venezuela): Widely revered as the “Doctor of the Poor,” Hernández was a physician who gave his life to serving the sick and impoverished. His humility, piety, and dedication to both science and faith made him a beloved figure in Latin America.

Peter To Rot (Papua New Guinea): A lay catechist and the first beatified figure from Papua New Guinea, To Rot was martyred during World War II for standing firm in his defense of Christian marriage against oppressive policies. His fearless faith and pastoral service remain a beacon for the Church in Oceania.

Vincenza Maria Poloni (Italy): Foundress of the Sisters of Mercy of Verona, she is credited with the miraculous healing of Audelia Parra from Chile. Poloni’s legacy of compassionate care and deep faith has led to growing veneration in her homeland and abroad.

Ignazio Choukrallah Maloyan (Armenia): Martyred in 1915 during the Armenian genocide, Bishop Maloyan refused to renounce his Catholic faith under extreme persecution. His canonization will honor both his sacrifice and the broader suffering of Christian Armenians during the tragic events of that era.

María del Monte Carmelo Rendiles Martínez (Venezuela): Known lovingly as "Mother Carmen," she founded the Servants of Jesus and is set to become Venezuela’s first female saint. Renowned for her gentle wisdom and service, she is a spiritual icon in her country.

Maria Troncatti (Italy/Ecuador): A member of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (Salesian Sisters), she dedicated her life to missionary work among indigenous communities in Ecuador, especially in healthcare and evangelization. Her legacy lives on in the Amazon region.

Pier Giorgio Frassati (Italy): A dynamic layman from the Third Order of St. Dominic, Frassati combined a zest for life with deep spirituality. A lover of mountaineering and the outdoors, he was equally passionate about social justice and caring for the poor. His canonization is scheduled for August 3.

This upcoming consistory highlights the universal character of the Catholic Church, elevating individuals from diverse nations and walks of life. From bishops and religious founders to laypeople and medical professionals, each of the eight blesseds demonstrates a different face of holiness for the modern world.

As Pope Leo XIV prepares to lead this historic gathering, the Church looks forward to celebrating these men and women who now stand at the threshold of sainthood. Their canonization ceremonies will serve as a global testimony to the enduring power of faith, mercy, and sacrifice.