By Charles Igwe
Pope Leo XIV is set to name St. John Henry Newman as a co-patron saint of Catholic education, joining St. Thomas Aquinas, the long-recognized patron of Catholic schools and universities.
The announcement was made by Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, Prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for Culture and Education, who said the formal declaration will be issued on October 28 to coincide with the 60th anniversary of Gravissimum Educationis, the Second Vatican Council’s declaration on Christian education.
The forthcoming document will not only confirm Newman’s new patronage but also reflect on the modern challenges and evolving mission of Catholic education around the world.
As part of the Jubilee of the World of Education, scheduled for October 27 to November 1, Pope Leo XIV will also proclaim Newman as the 38th Doctor of the Church during the closing Mass on the Solemnity of All Saints.
Cardinal Tolentino described Newman as “an extraordinary educator and a profound inspiration for the philosophy of education,” highlighting his enduring influence on faith, reason, and intellectual formation within the Catholic tradition.
According to data shared by the Vatican, there are currently about 230,000 Catholic schools and universities across 171 countries, serving nearly 72 million students — a scale that underscores the Church’s continued commitment to education and formation worldwide.
