Pope Leo XIV will name Saint John Henry Newman "co-patron of the Church's educational mission," alongside Saint Thomas Aquinas, announced Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, at a press conference on October 22, 2025.
In 1880, Thomas was declared the patron saint of all Catholic educational establishments by the last Pope Leo, (Leo XIII). Now the current Pope Leo will add the British cardinal to the patronage. One of Newman's most famous writings is "The Idea of a University."
While these two are now to be official patrons named by the Vatican, other saints are invoked to pray for the Church's educational endeavors. Particularly in the United States, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is remembered. And in Spanish-speaking countries, St. Joseph Calasanz, considered the initiator of public education, is invoked. St. John Bosco, as founder of the Salesians, is also a popular choice.
Pope will write on Catholic education
Presenting the upcoming Jubilee of the World of Education, the Portuguese cardinal also revealed that on October 28, the Pope will publish a document reflecting on the challenges facing Catholic schools today.
From October 27 to November 1, the Jubilee for the World of Education will bring together in Rome more than 20,000 people from 124 countries who are involved in school and university education. Among them will be more than 200 pilgrims with disabilities, according to Cardinal Tolentino de Mendonça.
These pilgrims will represent the world's largest educational network, that is the network of the Church: There are more than 231,000 Catholic schools and universities in 171 countries, attended by nearly 72 million students.
Meetings with the Pope
During this jubilee, four opportunities to meet with Leo XIV are planned: the opening Mass of the academic year (October 27), a meeting with students (October 30), then with educators (October 31), and finally the closing Mass (November 1).
During this celebration, the Pope will proclaim John Henry Newman (1801-1890) a "Doctor of the Church" — a title given to figures in the Catholic Church who have made a major theological and spiritual contribution to doctrine.
In the context of this Jubilee, the Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education also announced that the Pope will name St. John Henry Newman "co-patron of the Church's educational mission, alongside St. Thomas Aquinas."
The latter was declared patron of Catholic schools, universities, and academies by Pope Leo XIII in 1880.
Speaking to the press, the Portuguese cardinal pointed out Newman's "indisputable relevance" as an "extraordinary educator and great inspirer of the philosophy of education."
For Newman, the purpose of a university "is not limited to the transmission of knowledge," but must take into account a "holistic view" of the person, the prefect emphasized in a recent interview with I.MEDIA.
The papal document
On October 28, Pope Leo XIV will also publish a document on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council's declaration Gravissimum Educationis. In this text, Cardinal Tolentino revealed in a preview, the Pontiff salutes "a spiritual and pedagogical heritage" that has "lost none of its power," capable of "transcending the 21st century and responding to the most pressing challenges."
Today, "history challenges us with a new urgency," Leo XIV continues, emphasizing that "rapid and profound changes expose children, adolescents, and young people to unprecedented vulnerabilities." "It is not enough to preserve: we must revitalize," said the head of the Catholic Church, inviting the world of education to reconcile "knowledge and meaning, competence and responsibility, faith and life."
During the Jubilee of Education, Leo XIV will also relaunch the "Global Educational Pact," adding three objectives to the seven commitments launched in 2020 by Pope Francis.
