The staff at the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg, Maryland, are delighted with a special coincidence this month: Pope Leo XIV’s birthday is the same day as the anniversary of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s canonization.
In fact, Leo’s first birthday as pope this September 14 is also a significant canonization anniversary for St. Elizabeth – her 50th.
Pope Leo is the first pope born in the United States and St. Elizabeth is the first saint born in the United States.
The intertwining of their special dates goes further: St. Elizabeth’s birthday is August 28, which is the feast day of St. Augustine, and Pope Leo is a member of the Augustinian order.