Goa, Sept. 8 -- Pope Leo XIV presided over his first Ordinary Public Consistory, where Cardinals formally approved the canonizations of eight Blesseds. During the ceremony, held on Friday morning, the Holy Father confirmed that Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati and Blessed Carlo Acutis were to be canonized together on 7 September.

The joint canonizations of the two young saints-Frassati from the early twentieth century and Acutis, the first saint of the twenty-first century-had been eagerly anticipated by the faithful worldwide. Their elevation to sainthood fulfilled the late Pope's earlier announcement at the General Audience of 20 November 2024, when news of their canonizations drew thunderous applause in St. Peter's Square.

Originally, A...