Catholic Church makes priest who 'sold his own soul to Satan' a saint
The priest turned his back to God before returning and dedicating his life to charity
One of the latest saints in the Catholic Church allegedly made a pact with the devil for his soul, but has since been pardoned by the Pope and elevated to a prominent position within the church.
In a ceremony attended by thousands at the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV canonised seven individuals as saints of the church. Among these was a priest who had dabbled in Satanism himself.
Pope Leo announced that Bartolo Longo would be recognised as a new revered figure for followers. Over 700,000 people filled the Roman square to witness Longo, along with the other six, being ushered into sainthood in an unusual ritual.
Bartolo Longo was born in 1841 in the Italian city of Latiano and initially pursued a career in law. However, following the tragic death of his father, he became desperate for answers and sought any means to communicate with his departed loved ones.
As reported by the Daily Mail, he eventually turned to the occult, becoming increasingly involved in witchcraft and Satanism. This included participating in various demonic practices, such as making pacts with evil spirits and extreme fasting, reports the Daily Star.
He even consulted mediums and fortune tellers in his quest for answers about life after death. He appeared to sell his soul to the devil to secure the full answers he sought, before he was ultimately brought back to faith by Professor Vincenzo Pepe.
Following his return to Christianity, Bartolo took a vow of celibacy and devoted his remaining years to charitable works, establishing a shrine on the Pope's behalf in the devastated city of Pompeii. He subsequently opened numerous orphanages for children of both genders, whilst also ministering to inmates throughout the latter part of the 1800s.
In 1922, aged 81, he persisted with his philanthropic endeavours well into his twilight years, helping to establish an institution aimed at supporting prisoners' daughters and reintegrating them into society. He additionally worked alongside various groups afflicted with terminal illnesses, including those suffering from leprosy.
Longo ultimately died aged 85 in 1926, and was celebrated within the church for his remarkable ability to return to Catholicism after having strayed so significantly. During the ceremony, he was canonised alongside three nuns, a Venezuelan "doctor of the poor" and an archbishop murdered during the Armenian genocide.
Addressing thousands gathered in the sacred square, Pope Leo VIX declared of those receiving sainthood: "Today we have before us seven witnesses, the new Saints, who, with God's grace, kept the lamp of faith burning. May their intercession assist us in our trials and their example inspire us in our shared vocation to holiness."
Canonisation is the official method by which the Catholic Church recognises individuals as saints, and it involves a peculiar process that includes identifying miracles throughout their lives. This formal procedure can span years, with cardinals in the Vatican having to meticulously examine a person's life of hard work and commitment to decide if they merit the title of saint.