The Vatican’s decision to canonize a former Satanic priest alongside six other saints has sparked intense debate about the boundaries of redemption and the Catholic Church’s evolving standards for sainthood.

Vatican Elevates Former Satan Worshipper to Sainthood

Pope Leo XIV presided over a historic canonization ceremony at St. Peter’s Square, declaring seven individuals saints of the Catholic Church. The most controversial figure among the newly canonized is Bartolomeo Longo, an Italian lawyer who reportedly served as a Satanic priest before his conversion to Catholicism. This marks an unprecedented decision in modern Church history, as no documented former Satan worshipper has previously achieved sainthood through the formal canonization process.

The ceremony drew approximately 70,000 attendees and received international media coverage, with Cardinal Marcello Semeraro presenting the biographies of each new saint. Longo’s inclusion represents a dramatic departure from traditional sainthood criteria, which typically favor clergy, martyrs, and laypeople known for lifelong piety and service to the Church.

Diverse Group Reflects Global Church Representation

The six other newly canonized saints represent various continents and backgrounds, including Peter To Rot from Papua New Guinea, Venezuelan Carmen Rendiles Martinez, and Armenian bishop Ignatius Maloyan who was martyred for refusing to renounce his faith. Maria Troncatti, Jose Gregorio Hernandez Cisneros, and Vincenza Maria Poloni complete the diverse group, reflecting the Vatican’s emphasis on global representation in its canonization decisions.

The man who went from satanic high priest to canonized saint.

St. Bartolo Longo, pray for us 🙏 pic.twitter.com/OSVEf4kE1X

— Catholic Answers (@catholiccom) October 21, 2025

Each saint underwent the rigorous Vatican canonization process, involving verification of miracles attributed to their intercession and thorough examination of their lives and virtues. The Congregation for the Causes of Saints, working with local bishops and dioceses, recommended these candidates to Pope Leo XIV for final approval. This systematic approach typically takes decades to complete, involving extensive documentation and witness testimony.

Controversial Decision Challenges Traditional Church Standards

Longo’s elevation to sainthood raises serious concerns about the Church’s evolving standards and messaging to the faithful. While the Catholic Church has historically canonized former sinners like St. Paul, who persecuted Christians before his conversion, elevating someone with documented involvement in Satanic practices represents an extreme departure from established precedent. This decision may confuse or alienate traditional Catholics who view sainthood as reserved for those demonstrating exemplary virtue throughout their lives.

The Vatican’s emphasis on redemption and conversion through this canonization comes amid ongoing challenges facing the Catholic Church, including secularization, scandals, and calls for reform. Critics may question whether the Church is diluting the meaning of sainthood or potentially causing scandal among the faithful by celebrating someone with such a dark past, regardless of their subsequent conversion and charitable works promoting the Rosary.

Sources:

Pope Leo XIV to canonise former Satanic priest – Premier Christian News

Ex-Satanic priest among seven new saints created by Pope Leo – ABS-CBN News