There are more than 10,000 saints recognized by the Roman Catholic Church, with estimates likely exceeding 11,000 today. This number includes both officially canonized saints and those recognized through earlier, less formal processes
. The exact count is difficult because many saints from early Christianity were recognized locally or informally, and some groups of martyrs, such as the 799 martyrs of Otranto, are considered saints collectively without all individual names known
. Official canonization processes have evolved over centuries, and in recent decades, popes like John Paul II and Francis have canonized hundreds of saints, sometimes in large groups, which has increased the total number significantly
. In summary, while the precise number is not fixed, the Roman Catholic Church venerates over 10,000 saints, including those canonized through formal procedures and others recognized by tradition and local veneration.
