How Popes Have Praised Dorothy Day’s Message of Social Activism

Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV have publicly supported the social activism and pacifism of Dorothy Day, according to a report by Catholic New York. During a 2015 address to the United States Congress, Pope Francis referred to Day, the founder of the Catholic Worker Movement, as a Servant of God.

Day's cause for canonization progressed in early 2000. In February of that year, Cardinal John O’Connor wrote to the Vatican and the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to support her cause. O’Connor stated that Day's teachings on social justice anticipated the teachings of Pope John Paul II. Following this appeal, Pope John Paul II granted Day the title Servant of God in March 2000.