Canonisation of John Henry Newman

John Henry Newman (21 February 1801 – 11 August 1890) was a Roman Catholic theologian, philosopher and cardinal who converted to Roman Catholicism from Anglicanism in October 1845. In early life, he was a major figure in the Oxford Movement to bring the Church of England back to its roots. Eventually his studies in history persuaded him to become a Roman Catholic priest, and he has now become a Saint, having been canonised on 13 October 2019. In 1991, Newman was proclaimed "Venerable" by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints – the first stage in the canonisation process. He was beatified on 19 September 2010 at an open air Mass in Birmingham.

On 1 July 2019, Pope Francis announced at the Consistory of Cardinals his intention to canonise Newman. Newman was canonised by Francis on 13 October 2019, during an open-air Mass in St. Peter's Square. The Mass in 2019 was attended by Prince Charles (later King Charles III) and tens of thousands of pilgrims.

In 2025, history was made a week before Pope Leo XIV proclaimed Saint John Henry Newman a Doctor of the Church. British King Charles III prayed alongside Pope Leo XIV during the King's visit to the Vatican. This was the first time the British monarch, who is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, and the leader of the Roman Catholic Church have prayed together in five centuries. The prayers took place in the Sistine Chapel, where Queen Camilla was also present. With the proclamation of Newman as a Doctor of the Church, Saint John Henry Newman was named co-patron of Catholic education joining St. Thomas Aquinas.