# First papal canonization (993)

URL: https://christianity-history.com/timeline/993-first-papal-canonization
Location: Rome
Themes: Saint

Pope John XV canonizes Ulrich of Augsburg, the first saint formally canonized by a pope. At this point in the timeline (993), the Bishop of Rome was Pope John XV (20 August 985 – 1 April 996).

## Why it matters
First papal canonization mattered because the life and witness of the people involved became a lasting example venerated by Christians.

Pope at the time: [Pope John XV](https://christianity-history.com/popes/pope-john-xv)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Ulrich of Augsburg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulrich_of_Augsburg)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — First papal canonization](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=First+papal+canonization)
- [Wikipedia — Medieval Church (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Catholic_Church#Middle_Ages)