Famed American Archbishop Fulton Sheen is one step closer to sainthood after Pope Francis recognized a miracle he is said to have performed.
Sheen died in 1979 and is known for being a pioneer in the field of televangelism, appearing both on TV and radio. The miracle he is associated with happened in 2010, when a newborn baby showed no vital signs for a full hour. The child’s parents began to pray to Sheen, asking him to intercede with God. The baby soon recovered.
The miracle’s official recognition by the church means that he will be beatified or declared “blessed.” A second miracle, confirmed after beatification, is typically required before one can be canonized and declared a saint.
During his career, which spanned from the 1930s to the 1960s, Sheen hosted a variety of shows, including, The Catholic Hour, Life Is Worth Living, and The Fulton Sheen Program. He won two Emmy awards for his work on the shows, which are still rebroadcast on some Christian television stations.
