Pope Praises Fulton Sheen’s Radio and TV Ministry Ahead of Historic Beatification

Pope Leo XIV has praised American Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen as an inspiration for Christian evangelisation, a day before the late radio and television preacher is due to be beatified in St. Louis, Missouri.

Speaking to English-speaking pilgrims at his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday, September 23, the Pope encouraged them to draw from Sheen’s example and find new ways of spreading the Christian faith “with joyful enthusiasm.”

Sheen, who died in 1979, became one of the most recognisable Catholic figures in the United States during the 20th century. He gained widespread attention through radio before becoming a pioneering television evangelist with his programme “Life Is Worth Living,” which began in 1952.

Pope Leo, who was born in Chicago and grew up in Illinois, has previously spoken about encountering Sheen’s evangelisation efforts while growing up. In June, he described Sheen as a “light of faith, hope, and love” whose radio and television broadcasts brought the Christian message to millions.

Sheen began broadcasting on radio in the 1920s and became a regular speaker on NBC’s “The Catholic Hour” from 1930 to 1950. He later moved into television, where his blackboard-based presentations on religion, morality and philosophy attracted large audiences.

According to The Catholic University of America, where Sheen studied and later taught for 23 years, “Life Is Worth Living” became one of the most widely viewed religious programmes of its era. Sheen received an Emmy Award for Most Outstanding Television Personality for his work on the programme and was also featured on the cover of Time magazine.

His influence extended beyond broadcasting. Sheen served as national director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith from 1950 to 1966 and raised funds for Catholic missionary work around the world. He later served as auxiliary bishop of New York and bishop of Rochester before becoming an archbishop.

Sheen was declared Venerable by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012 after the Vatican recognised his heroic virtue. In 2019, Pope Francis approved a miracle attributed to Sheen’s intercession, clearing a major step toward beatification.

The beatification, however, was delayed for six years. A ceremony originally planned for December 2019 was postponed after concerns were raised about Sheen’s handling of cases involving priests accused of sexual misconduct during his time as bishop of Rochester from 1966 to 1969. Sheen himself was never accused of abuse. The Vatican subsequently allowed his cause to proceed.

The beatification Mass is scheduled for Thursday, September 24, at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, the Vatican’s pro-prefect for evangelisation, will preside as Pope Leo’s representative.

The Catholic Church’s recognition will give Sheen the title “Blessed Fulton Sheen,” placing him one step closer to possible canonisation. A further approved miracle would ordinarily be required for his eventual declaration as a saint.

The ceremony is expected to attract pilgrims from across the United States and other countries, with events also taking place in Peoria, Illinois, Sheen’s home diocese and the location of his tomb.