Pope Leo XIV canonized Pier Giorgio Frassati on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025!
He was a young Italian Catholic known for his deep faith, care for the poor, and joyful spirit. Frassati was a Third Order Dominican, and his legacy has inspired numerous apostolates around the world.
Saint John Paul II beatified Pier Giorgio Frassati in 1990. During the beatification, he referred to the young saint as the “Man of Eight Beatitudes.”
You can find his "Prayer for the Courage to be Great" here.
Here are 10 facts to know about the newly canonized Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati:
1) Pier Giorgio Frassati was born on April 6, 1901, in Turin, Italy, to a prominent family. His family was not especially religious.
At his funeral, many of the poor and destitute who attended were surprised to find out that the young man who befriended and helped them was heir to the famous and wealthy Frassati family. Similarly, his family was surprised by the number of homeless and needy patrons attending.
2) He received communion daily, which was a rare practice for laypeople at the time.
“I urge you with all the strength of my soul to approach the Eucharist Table as often as possible. Feed on this Bread of the Angels from which you will draw the strength to fight inner struggles.” - Pier Giorgio Frassati
3) Frassati was a political activist.
He was a strong advocate against the communist and fascist causes in early 20th-century Italy. (Catholic News Agency).
4) He was a passionate and successful mountain climber! He also loved to ski.
Pier organized trips to the mountains as a way to converse with others about the faith and spend time in prayer.
5) After what would become his final climb, he wrote a simple note on a photograph: “Verso L’Alto” (“To the heights”)
This phrase has become a popular Catholic motto.
6) Pope Francis listed Frassati among the twelve exemplary saints for all young people in his apostolic exhortation, Christus Vivit, "who devoted their lives to Christ..." (USCCB)
“We must sacrifice everything for everything: our ambitions, indeed our entire selves, for the cause of the Faith.” - Pier Giorgio Frassati
7) In her biography of her brother, Frassati’s sister, Luciana, wrote that “he represented the finest in Christian youth: pure, happy, enthusiastic about everything that is good and beautiful.” (Catholic News Agency)
8) Frassati was an avid fan of the arts; he frequently visited the theater, opera, and museum.
He was also a practical jokester!
9) Frassati died of polio on July 4, 1925, at 24 years old.
His doctors later speculated that he caught the infectious disease while serving the sick. (Frassati USA)