On March 23, 2026, Pope Leo XIV declared Father Edward J. Flanagan (1886–1948), the Irish-born founder of Boys Town, "Venerable". This title recognizes his "heroic virtue" in caring for at-risk youth and marks a major step toward sainthood. He is revered for creating a revolutionary home for homeless boys near Omaha, Nebraska. 

Key Details About Venerable Father Flanagan:

Founder of Boys Town: Father Flanagan established Boys Town in 1917, which provided a home, education, and trade skills to thousands of young people, operating under the belief that "there is no such thing as a bad boy".

Path to Sainthood: His cause for canonization was started by the Boys Town National Alumni Association in 1999 and opened in 2012. Being declared "Venerable" means the Vatican recognizes he lived a life of extraordinary holiness, according to the Boys Town blog post.

Next Steps: For his beatification, a miracle attributed to his intercession must be confirmed.

Legacy: He was a social reformer who advocated for the rights of children to be treated with dignity, rather than being treated as criminals in reformatories.

Early Life: Born in Ballymoe, County Roscommon, Ireland, in 1886, he emigrated to the U.S. at age 18 and was ordained as a priest in 1912. 

Father Flanagan's legacy continues through the ongoing work of Boys Town, and he is remembered for his courage in championing the welfare of vulnerable children.

(Article text from Boys Town Website)