Pope Leo Calls Archbishop Fulton Sheen ‘A Light of Faith’ Who Touched Millions With the Gospel
Pope Leo called Sheen a light of faith and said his broadcasts reached millions of Americans and inspired missionary giving.
- On Monday, Pope Leo XIV praised Venerable Fulton J. Sheen at the Vatican, calling the archbishop "a light of faith, hope, and love" whose radio and television broadcasts brought the Gospel to millions of Americans, including the pope himself as a child.
- As national director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, Sheen served 16 years raising $200 million for missionary work—equivalent to nearly $2.1 billion today—while donating more than $10 million of his media earnings to the missions.
- Rising to prominence on NBC's "The Catholic Hour" and "Life Is Worth Living," Archbishop Sheen won an Emmy Award for best television personality after his first season, famously thanking his writers: "Matthew, Mark, Luke and John."
- The Vatican has scheduled the beatification of Archbishop Sheen for Sept. 24 in St. Louis, marking the final step before potential sainthood, which requires one more miracle attributed to his intercession.
- This beatification coincides with the centennial year of the Pontifical Mission Societies, which Sheen once led; meanwhile, World Mission Sunday falls on Oct. 18 under the theme "One in Christ.
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National Catholic Reporter
Catholic ReviewPope Leo calls Archbishop Fulton Sheen 'a light of faith' who touched millions with the Gospel
Pope Leo XIV praised Venerable Fulton Sheen on June 1 as "a light of faith, hope, and love" whose radio and television broadcasts brought the Gospel to millions of Americans — including the pope himself as a child.
The Tablet
Pope Leo Calls Archbishop Fulton Sheen ‘A Light of Faith’ Who Touched Millions With the Gospel
Pope Leo XIV speaks with participants in the general assembly of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Clementine Hall at the Vatican June 1, 2026. During the meeting, Pope Leo praised Venerable Fulton J. Sheen as “a light of faith, hope, and love” whose radio and television broadcasts brought the Gospel to millions of Americans — including the pope himself as a child. (Photo: OSV News/Simone Risoluti, Vatican Media) by Courtney Mares Pope Leo XIV…
Pope Leo Praises Archbishop Sheen's Missionary Zeal
Archbishop Fulton Sheen's legacy was honored by Pope Leo during a meeting of the National Directors of the Pontifical Mission, with the Pope noting that Sheen's beatification will take place on September 24, 2026, and that Sheen's missionary spirit continues to have an impact on the Church today.
National Catholic Register
Fulton Sheen’s Missionary Legacy Hailed by Pope Leo XIV
Bachrach A portrait of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen (1895–1979), New York, 1964. The pontiff praised Venerable Sheen, who will be beatified Sept. 24, as “a light of faith, hope, and love” whose radio and television broadcasts brought the Gospel to millions.
Pope Leo Calls Archbishop Fulton Sheen 'a Light of Faith' Who Touched Millions With the Gospel - The Good Newsroom
Pope Leo Calls Archbishop Fulton Sheen 'a Light of Faith' Who Touched Millions With the Gospel Podcasts, Archbishop Hicks | 06/2/2026 By: OSV News American pope says he personally witnessed Sheen’s evangelization as a child Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, pictured in an undated photo, is remembered as one of the most influential and inn…
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