Trending Now - Pope Leo Advances Father Flanagan's Sainthood Process

WHO:

Pope Leo XIV

Rev. Edward Joseph Flanagan, commonly known as Father Flanagan

Omaha Archbishop Michael McGovern

Boys Town organization

Father Flanagan League

WHAT:

Pope Leo XIV proclaimed the "heroic virtues" of Father Flanagan, moving him a step closer to possible sainthood.

Father Flanagan is now officially declared "venerable."

The next steps toward sainthood include beatification and ultimately canonization.

Flanagan established his first home for boys in 1917.

The Boys Town organization began admitting girls to its residential programs in 1979.

Flanagan is the second U.S. cleric with Midwestern connections to be moved closer to sainthood in 2026.

WHERE:

Boys Town, Nebraska

Ballymoe, Ireland (birthplace of Flanagan)

Diocese of Omaha, Nebraska

Dowd Memorial Chapel in Boys Town

WHEN:

March 23rd, 2026 (date of the proclamation)

Flanagan was born in 1886.

Flanagan immigrated to the U.S. in 1904.

Flanagan was ordained a priest in 1912.

Flanagan began work in the Diocese of Omaha in 1913.

Flanagan died in 1948 at age 61.

WHY:

The proclamation of "heroic virtues" is part of the process for sainthood, indicating a reputation of holiness.

HOW:

The Vatican's Dicastery for the Causes of Saints reviewed a lengthy dossier on Flanagan's life, writings, and works.

The next step toward possible sainthood is beatification, which requires finding someone who was miraculously healed by praying for Flanagan's intercession.

(UPDATED March 23, 2026 21:37 UTC)

Today, Pope Leo XIV officially declared Father Edward Joseph Flanagan, the founder of Boys Town, as "venerable," recognizing his "heroic virtues" and moving him a step closer to sainthood. This proclamation, made in Boys Town, Nebraska, follows a thorough review by the Vatican's Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, and the next step in the process will be beatification, which requires evidence of a miracle attributed to Flanagan's intercession. Flanagan, who established his first home for boys in 1917 and passed away in 1948, is now the second U.S. cleric with Midwestern ties to advance toward sainthood this year.