A New Doctor of the Church:
Saint John Henry Newman

Saint John Henry Newman Painting by John Everett Millais National Portrait Gallery, London From Wikimedia Commons, in the Public Domain On Thursday, July 31, it was announced that Saint John Henry Newman has been named the 38th Doctor of the Church. John Henry Newman was born on February 21, 1801. Originally an Anglican priest, he converted to Catholicism in 1845 and was ordained as a Catholic priest in 1847. He was named as one of the first cardinals created by Pope Leo XIII in 1879. Remembered as a theologian, educator, philosopher, historian, writer, and poet, he was an important figure in the religious history of England in the 19th century. He died at Birmingham, England, on August 11, 1890. John Henry Newman was beatified on September 19, 2010, by Pope Benedict XVI (while on a pastoral visit to England) and was canonized on October 13, 2019, by Pope Francis. Travels of Pope Benedict XVI: United Kingdom, 2010 Insert: Saint John Henry Newman Scott 1488 (2011) Although not specifically identified on a stamp issued by Vatican City, his image is found on the stamp commemorating the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to England in 2010. The references below give additional details of the new Doctor of the Church as we await his formal installation. The date for that ceremony has not been announced. REFERENCES: Wikipedia, John Henry Newman Alessandro De Carolis, Vatican News, July 31, 2025, St John Henry Newman set to become newest Doctor of the Church Father Raymond J. de Souza, National Catholic Register, July 31, 2025, 8 Ways St. John Henry Newman Is the Doctor of the Church We Need Now Vatican Philatelic Society website, www.vaticanstamps.org, Stamp Database Search