Pope Leo XIV shares childhood memories of Blessed Fulton J. Sheen on flight to Paris

Pope Leo XIV recalled watching Blessed Fulton J. Sheen on television with his family as a child during a flight to Paris on Sept. 25. Speaking to journalists aboard the papal plane, the pope described how the lively way Sheen shared religious teachings helped his family connect with the faith.

The pope expressed regret that he could not attend the beatification of Sheen, which took place in St. Louis on Sept. 24. He noted that he received messages from people asking why he was not present at the ceremony, which drew an estimated 50,000 attendees. Sheen was originally from Illinois.