U.S. Archbishop Fulton Sheen to Be Beatified, One Step From Sainthood

The Vatican will allow the popular midcentury radio and TV host, who died in 1979, to be beatified, ending a six-year delay.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The Vatican has announced that American Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, a renowned Catholic clergy member of the 20th century known for his popular radio and television programs, will be beatified, placing him one step away from sainthood. The move ends a six-year delay in the process, which had been held up by concerns over his role in priest assignments in the Rochester, New York diocese and a dispute over the location of his remains.

Why it matters

Archbishop Sheen was one of the most famous and influential Catholic figures of the 20th century, credited with helping pave the way for John F. Kennedy's election as the first Catholic U.S. president. His beatification is seen as a significant milestone for the Catholic Church in the United States.

The details

The announcement about Archbishop Sheen's beatification was made by the diocese of Peoria, Illinois, which is sponsoring his sainthood cause. A date and location for the beatification ceremony have not yet been announced, but it is expected to take place sometime this year. Beatification is a key step in the process of becoming a saint, requiring the verification of a miracle connected to the individual.

  • Archbishop Sheen died in 1979.
  • His sainthood cause was initiated by the Bishop of Peoria in the early 2000s.
  • In 2019, the Vatican postponed Sheen's beatification just weeks before it was scheduled.
  • In 2020, a $256 million settlement was reached in the Rochester, New York diocese's bankruptcy case, which had raised concerns about Sheen's handling of priest assignments.
  • The Vatican has now cleared the way for Sheen's beatification to proceed.

The players

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

A renowned American Catholic archbishop known for his popular midcentury radio and television programs, who is now on the path to sainthood.

Bishop Louis Tylka

The current Bishop of Peoria, Illinois, which is sponsoring Archbishop Sheen's sainthood cause.

Bishop Daniel Jenky

The former Bishop of Peoria who initiated Archbishop Sheen's sainthood cause in the early 2000s.

Archbishop Timothy Dolan

The Archbishop of New York, where Archbishop Sheen was entombed after his death in 1979.

Pope Francis

The current Pope, who must ultimately approve any canonization of Archbishop Sheen.

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What they’re saying

“This is a great moment for the local church in Peoria, for the church here in the United States and for the church universal.”

— Bishop Louis Tylka, Bishop of Peoria (The New York Times)

“He showed the broad American public that the truths of our faith were consonant with the highest values of the society: patriotism, God, family and the struggle against Communism.”

— Archbishop Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York (The New York Times)

What’s next

A date and location for Archbishop Sheen's beatification ceremony have yet to be announced, but it is expected to take place sometime in 2026.

The takeaway

Archbishop Sheen's beatification marks a significant milestone for the Catholic Church in the United States, honoring one of the most influential and popular American Catholic figures of the 20th century and paving the way for his potential future canonization as a saint.