In a deeply moving ceremony that drew thousands to St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV formally canonized Pier Giorgio Frassati, honoring the young Italian layman as a saint of the Catholic Church and a beacon of faith, service, and youthful joy.
At just 24 when he died in 1925, Frassati left behind a legacy that continues to inspire generations.
Known for his deep spirituality, adventurous spirit, and tireless dedication to the poor, Frassati’s life was described by Pope Leo as “a testimony to what holiness looks like in action, not isolation.”
Born into privilege in Turin, Italy, Frassati chose a life of humility.
Despite being the son of a wealthy newspaper magnate and diplomat, he spent his days working quietly among the sick and the poor, delivering food, medicine, and hope through the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
He was also an enthusiastic mountain climber and outdoorsman, earning him the nickname “the Man of the Beatitudes.” His faith was not only rooted in the church pew but also lived out in the streets and on the summits he loved to climb.
“He lived high,” Pope Leo said during the canonization Mass, “not only in the mountains but in virtue, in compassion, and in his courageous love for Christ and others.”
Two miracles attributed to Frassati’s intercession paved the way for his sainthood:
- In 1933, a man suffering from Pott’s disease, a spinal infection, was healed after praying to Frassati.
- In 2017, an American seminary student recovered miraculously from a torn Achilles tendon after completing a novena prayer to him.
The Vatican officially recognized both events as medically inexplicable, fulfilling the requirement for canonization.
Frassati’s short life continues to ripple through time.
He has become a patron for young adults, social justice advocates, and even sports enthusiasts.
His famous quote, “Verso l’alto” (meaning “To the heights”), is not just about mountains but about reaching toward God in everyday life.
Pilgrimages to his tomb in Turin draw thousands annually, and his story is told in youth retreats, Catholic schools, and social outreach centers around the world.
This canonization follows closely behind the naming of Carlo Acutis, the Church’s first millennial saint, marking a powerful message from Pope Leo XIV: that holiness is not reserved for ancient times or secluded lives.
“Frassati and Acutis show us,” Pope Leo said, “that sainthood is possible today. In a noisy world, their quiet witness speaks volumes.”
