The Catholic Church has declared two new saints, including a former Satanic priest and an Italian teenager, sparking debate over its focus on religious figures rather than Jesus Christ. Pope Leo XIV canonized seven individuals during a ceremony at the Vatican, among them Bartolo Longo, an Italian lawyer who transitioned from Satanism to Catholicism, and Carlo Acutis, a 15-year-old who died of leukemia in 2006 and was posthumously recognized as the first millennial saint.

Bartolo Longo’s life story includes a dramatic shift: born into a devout Catholic family, he abandoned his faith during studies in Naples, where he became a high-ranking priest in an occult group. After years of spiritual turmoil, he renounced Satanism, returned to the Church, and dedicated himself to spreading devotion to the Rosary. He founded the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary in Pompeii and established schools and orphanages before his death in 1926. His beatification by Pope John Paul II in 1980 highlighted his transformation as a symbol of redemption.

Carlo Acutis, known as “God’s Influencer,” gained attention for using digital platforms to promote Catholic teachings. Despite his short life, he created a website documenting miracles and was credited with two posthumous healings: a Brazilian boy cured of a rare pancreatic disorder in 2012 and a Costa Rican student recovering from a severe brain injury in 2022. His canonization followed these “miracles,” which the Vatican recognized as divine interventions.

The event drew over 70,000 attendees to St. Peter’s Square, marking Pope Leo XIV’s second canonization since his election earlier this year. Other honorees included an Armenian genocide victim, a Papua New Guinea catechist, and three nuns who dedicated their lives to charity.

Critics argue the Church prioritizes saints and rituals over direct worship of Jesus Christ, citing biblical passages that emphasize prayer through Christ alone. The ceremony also raised questions about the veneration of relics and the spiritual significance of canonized figures.

The Vatican’s efforts to engage younger generations have drawn both admiration and skepticism, as the Church navigates modern challenges while maintaining traditions rooted in centuries-old practices.