Page "Thomas More" Paragraph 50

More was beatified by Pope Leo XIII in 1886 and canonised, with John Fisher, on 19 May 1935 by Pope Pius XI, and his feast day was established as 9 July.

This day is still observed as his feast day by traditionalist Catholics Mass.

Following a series of post-Vatican II reforms, his feast day was changed and his name was added to the Roman Catholic calendar of saints in 1970 for celebration on 22 June jointly with St John Fisher, the only remaining bishop ( owing to the coincident natural deaths of eight aged bishops ) who, during the English Reformation, maintained, at the King's mercy, allegiance to the pope.

In 2000, Pope John Paul II declared More the " heavenly patron of statesmen and politicians ".

In 1980, More was added to the Church of England's calendar of Saints and Heroes of the Christian Church, jointly with John Fisher.

More is commemorated on 6 July.