At the same time, marking the Jubilee of World Education, Pope Leo named Saint John Henry Newman co-patron along with Saint Thomas Aquinas, of all involved in Education.

The title of Doctor of the Church is rarely bestowed, and Saint John Henry Newman is now just one of 38. Being proclaimed a Doctor of the Church is not merely an honorary title; it is the Church’s recognition that a saint’s teaching and wisdom not only resonated with their own contemporaries, but still illuminates, instructs and inspires today. Saint John Henry Newman's epitaph, “Ex umbris et imaginibus in veritatem” encourages us to come out of the shadows and images and into truth, which is particularly poignant in a world dominated by technology and filters that are often superficial. His poem featuring the words, 'Lead, Kindly Light' also follows this thinking, as Pope Leo said, "The task of education is precisely to offer this Kindly Light to those who might otherwise remain imprisoned by the particularly insidious shadows of pessimism and fear."

Matthew Fogg, Head Master, says "We have returned to school with joyous news from the Vatican as Pope Leo formally declared Saint John Henry Newman as a Doctor of The Church - an incredibly rare honour. 

Perhaps of even greater significance, Pope Leo has also stated that Saint John Henry Newman is one of two patron saints of Education, alongside Saint Thomas Aquinas. It is worth us pausing to consider the import of this - the very man who opened our school in 1859 has been held up as a key figure for Catholic schools across the whole world. 

I wanted to share with you some of the details of what Pope Leo said when he addressed Catholic educators on Friday. You can read his original text here: To Participants in the Jubilee of the World of Education (Meeting with Educators) (31 October 2025)

Pope Leo asked all of us to consider interiority, unity, love and joy as central to education. In brief, he was saying that the role of a teacher is about the direct encounter with your pupils, that it is about a shared journey between teacher and pupil, that it is about loving and respecting each pupil as an individual, and, finally, that the educational journey should be marked by joy. I was particularly moved by Pope Leo's statement that "True teachers educate with a smile, and their goal is to awaken smiles in the depths of their students’ souls." These were all key aspects of St John Henry Newman's goal in establishing The Oratory School, summarised in his expression 'Cor ad Cor Loquitur' meaning 'Heart Speaks to Heart,' and this is why Pope Leo has elevated him to this patronal role."

The Oratory School marked this momentous occasion on Monday with a Whole School Mass and celebratory cakes enjoyed by all during lunch time.

You can watch the moment that Pope Leo XIV proclaimed our Founder, Saint John Henry Newman, a Doctor of the Church here:
Pope Leo XIV proclaims Saint John Henry Newman the 38th Doctor of the Church on All Saints’ Day - YouTube

St John Henry Newman - pray for us.