World

Pope sets date for sainthood ceremony for Cardinal Newman

04 of July 2019

AP Photo,Pope Francis addresses faithful during the traditional Angelus prayer from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, June 30, 2019. Pope Francis has hailed U.S. President Donald Trump’s brief stroll into North Korea, saying “may it be a step forward toward peace” on the Korean Peninsula and entire world. Francis didn’t mention Trump or North Korean leader Kim Jong Un by name. But his reference Sunday was clear, as he spoke of a development of “a few hours earlier. In impromptu remarks to faithful in St. Peter’s Square, Francis called the latest meeting of the two leaders, who shook hands, “a good example of encounter.” (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

VATICAN CITY (AP) — A prominent Anglican convert, John Henry Newman, who later became a Catholic cardinal and was hailed by the Vatican for improving relations between religions, will be made a saint in October.

Pope Francis on Monday decreed that his canonization ceremony be held on Oct. 13. The Holy See didn’t say where the ceremony would be held, but it was widely expected to take place at the Vatican.

Newman renounced an illustrious career at Oxford University to convert to Catholicism in 1845.

Pope Benedict XVI beatified Newman, the last formal step before sainthood, while visiting Britain in 2010.

Anglicans split from Rome in 1534 when King Henry VIII was denied a marriage annulment.

In February, Francis approved a miracle needed for Newman’s sainthood.