Pope Leo XIV praised Archbishop Fulton Sheen, a well-known U.S. radio and television preacher, as an inspiration just before his beatification. The pope, who grew up listening to Sheen, noted that Sheen was a fellow Illinois clergyman and highlighted his contributions during a general audience in St. Peter's Square. He encouraged English-speaking pilgrims at the event to follow Sheen's example and find new ways to share the Christian faith "with joyful enthusiasm." Sheen, who died in 1979, was a powerful evangelist who helped pioneer televangelism through his 1950s television series "Life is Worth Living." Dressed in traditional clerical attire, he used a chalkboard to deliver moral and religious lessons to millions of U.S. households. According to the Catholic University of America, where he studied and taught before becoming a bishop, Sheen was awarded an Emmy, appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, and became one of the most influential Catholics of the 20th century. Sheen is set to be beatified on Thursday in St. Louis, Missouri, the first step toward possible sainthood. The Vatican’s top evangelization official, Filipino Cardinal Luis Tagle, will celebrate the Mass. "May the example and the intercession of this holy bishop, known for his evangelizing work to the media, inspire many others likewise to find new ways of spreading the gospel message with joyful enthusiasm," Pope Leo said in English on Wednesday, noting the appointment. Pope Leo, formerly known as Robert Prevost, grew up in a deeply Catholic family in Chicago. His parents led nightly Rosary prayers, and his three sons, including young Robert, served as altar boys. Leo mentioned earlier this year that Sheen’s broadcasts were part of his family's faith development. In a June 1 speech to directors of The Pontifical Mission Societies, which Sheen led in the U.S. for 16 years, Leo noted his upcoming beatification. "Archbishop Sheen was a beacon of faith, hope, and love who shone through radio and television for decades," Leo said. "I myself witnessed his evangelization efforts as I was growing up. His broadcasts reached millions of people with the hope of the Gospel, and his initiatives and efforts provided enormous spiritual and material support to the churches in areas of first evangelization." Pope Francis had originally confirmed a miracle attributed to Sheen’s intercession in 2019 and had planned his beatification for Dec. 21 that year in Sheen’s hometown of Peoria, Illinois. However, the Vatican postponed the ceremony at the last minute to investigate concerns about how Sheen handled priests accused of abuse during his tenure as a bishop. The investigation found no wrongdoing. After a six-year delay, the Vatican approved the beatification for Thursday.