The question of how many saints are officially recognized by the Catholic Church is one that piques the curiosity of believers and non-believers alike. The answer isn't simple. While 1,726 Saints have been officially canonized, if we also consider the Beatified, Martyrs, and those locally venerated, that number could soar to between 9,000 and 20,000. This vast spiritual landscape tells the story of humanity's diverse and extraordinary expressions of faith throughout the centuries.
The Evolution of Holiness Through Time
The Early Centuries: The Cult of Martyrs
In Christianity's first five centuries, the term "Saint" was reserved exclusively for Martyrs—those who sacrificed their lives for their faith. This era saw the creation of the first Martyrologies, collections of these heroes' names. Martyrdom was considered the ultimate testament to devotion to Christ, ensuring, in the theology of the time, a kind of automatic sanctification. The sites of their deaths became pilgrimage destinations, marking the beginning of the Christian veneration of Saints.
From Martyrs to Confessors
With the end of persecutions and the Edict of Milan in 313 A.D., which granted Christians freedom of worship, a significant shift occurred. The figure of the martyr was joined by the confessor—someone who, though not killed for their faith, had led an ascetic and exemplary life. This marked the start of the institutionalization of holiness, a process that gained momentum with the fall of the Western Roman Empire and the increasing role of local bishops, who began to recognize and authorize the veneration of particularly virtuous individuals.
From Popular Devotion to Official Canonization
Episcopal Canonization
Between the 6th and 12th centuries, we see the period of "episcopal canonization." Bishops investigated candidates for sainthood, reviewing testimonies and attributed miracles. They would then draft a "Vita Sancti," an hagiographic biography aimed at promoting popular devotion.
1588: Centralization Under Pope Sixtus V
A major change arrived in 1588 when Pope Sixtus V established the Sacred Congregation of Rites, the body responsible for managing beatification and canonization causes. This made the process more rigorous, uniform, and controlled, transforming sanctity into a matter of canon law as well as faith.
In the 18th century, Benedict XIV codified the rules of the canonical process in his treatise "De Servorum Dei Beatificatione et Beatorum Canonizatione." From that point on, a miracle became an essential requirement: two for canonization (saints) and one for beatification (blessed).
The 1983 Reform: A New Code
Under Pope John Paul II, the canonization process was further revised. The 1983 Code of Canon Law introduced procedural streamlining and greater openness to canonizing laypeople, women, and contemporary figures. Holiness became increasingly accessible, relatable, and relevant to modern times.
The Rise of Papal Canonizations
A Historical Comparison: 1592–1978
From 1592 to 1978, only 302 canonizations were officially recognized. This number seems incredibly small when compared to later eras. The Church preferred to proceed with extreme caution, focusing on figures of particular theological or spiritual significance.
John Paul II: The Pope of Saints
Karol Wojtyla, canonized as Saint John Paul II, completely transformed this landscape. His pontificate saw the proclamation of 482 Saints, most of whom were Martyrs, victims of 20th-century religious persecutions. Wojtyla recognized that the 20th century had produced new heroic witnesses of faith, even if they weren't widely known. He called them "Unknown Soldiers of God's Great Cause," highlighting the urgent need to acknowledge those who suffered in silence.
Pope Francis: The Samaritan Church
Under Pope Francis, we've seen a further increase in canonizations. He left a profound legacy in the history of holiness. During his pontificate, he canonized 942 blessed individuals, surpassing all previous records before his death. A notable case is the collective canonization of the 800 Martyrs of Otranto, massacred in 1480 by the Turks for refusing to renounce Christianity.
Francis also introduced a third path to canonization: the Offering of Life, alongside Martyrdom and Heroicity of Virtues. This criterion allowed for the canonization of figures like parents, doctors, volunteers, and missionaries who completely dedicated their lives.
Pope Leo XIV: A New Chapter of Holiness
With the passing of Pope Francis, the pontificate of Leo XIV has ushered in a new phase for the Church. A man of immense culture and spirituality, Leo XIV is deeply committed to a holiness rooted in everyday life. He emphasizes contemporary figures who live the Gospel in challenging contexts: war zones, urban peripheries, and areas hit by natural disasters.
Continuing the work of his predecessors, Leo XIV has promoted a review of procedural norms, streamlining processes and placing greater emphasis on the community's testimony of holiness lived within the local Church.
Pope Leo XIV has already announced the canonization of several Beatified individuals, marking a significant turn in the early months of his pontificate. Among the most prominent names are Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati, two deeply beloved figures already revered throughout the Catholic world. Their joint canonization is set for September 7, 2025, a date that will go down in Church history as a symbol of youthful holiness and authentic Christian commitment.
Carlo Acutis, born in 1991 and passed in 2006, is globally known as the "influencer of God." With his extraordinary devotion to the Eucharist and the creation of a website documenting Eucharistic miracles, Carlo innovatively blended faith and technology, becoming a guiding light for digital Catholic youth. Beatified in 2020 in Assisi, where his incorrupt body rests, Carlo's fame for holiness grew thanks to numerous testimonies of spiritual conversions linked to him. Pope Leo XIV's decision to include him in the first group of saints canonized during his pontificate sends a powerful message to new generations: holiness is possible today, even online.
Buy the Plasticized Holy Card of Carlo Acutis.
The Meaning of Holiness Today
More than ever, Saints are seen not just as examples to emulate, but also as intercessors and companions on our journey. We often turn to Saints in difficult times, seeking inspiration, protection, and comfort. Popular devotion thrives on these luminous figures who witnessed to their faith with radical dedication and profound humanity.
The Church continues to affirm that the call to holiness is universal. It's not reserved for religious figures or hermits; it can flourish in work, family life, and social engagement. Canonized Saints are merely the visible tip of a spiritual mountain that includes millions of anonymous faithful living lives of love, justice, and faith.
From the Martyrs of the catacombs to the witnesses of charity in our time, the history of Saints in the Catholic Church is a compelling narrative of vibrant, tangible faith. Under the guidance of various Pontiffs—from John Paul II to Francis, and now to Leo XIV—the Church has successfully honored and modernized an ancient tradition, demonstrating that holiness is humanity's highest calling.