Conversion on the Way to Damascus (1600–01), Caravaggio · public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

His story

Saul of Tarsus, a Pharisee and Roman citizen, persecuted the first Christians until the risen Christ stopped him on the road to Damascus (Acts 9). He became the great missionary of the early Church, travelling thousands of miles through Asia Minor and Greece, founding churches and writing letters that make up much of the New Testament. Tradition says he was beheaded in Rome under Nero.

Path to sainthood

Venerated as an apostle from the beginning (pre-Congregation). His tomb is honoured at the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls.

Patronages

Missionaries, writers, journalists, theologians, and tentmakers.

Trivia

• He made a living as a tentmaker (Acts 18:3).
• Thirteen New Testament letters bear his name. Scholars agree almost universally that seven are his own; authorship of the others is debated.
• On 28 June 2009 Pope Benedict XVI announced that bone fragments from the sarcophagus under St Paul Outside the Walls had been carbon-dated to the 1st or 2nd century, which he said "seems to confirm" the tradition that they are Paul's.

Sources

• Benedict XVI, General Audience opening the Pauline catechesis (2 Jul 2008), vatican.va
• Vatican News: St Paul
• Britannica: St Paul the Apostle
• Catholic Encyclopedia: St Paul
• Reuters: Pope says bone fragments found in St Paul's tomb (2009)

Fact-checked on October 15, 2026 against New Advent (Catholic Encyclopedia), Vatican documents and news reports. Britannica links are given for further reading. Feast days follow the General Roman Calendar.

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