Pope Leo XIV receives relic of Blessed Fulton Sheen

Bishop Louis Tylka of the Diocese of Peoria met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on October 5 to present a relic of the recently beatified Blessed Fulton Sheen. The meeting included Monsignor Jason Gray, the executive director of the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation.

Bishop Tylka used the audience to advocate for the canonization of Sheen, an American religious leader who died in 1979. The presentation of the relic is part of a Catholic tradition, and the meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the evidence for Sheen's potential sainthood, including reports of up to six purported miracles attributed to his divine intervention.

Pope Leo XIV has previously expressed admiration for Sheen, describing him as a “light of faith, hope and love” who utilized radio and television to reach millions of people. The Pope noted his personal connection to Sheen, recalling watching his broadcasts during his childhood.