Pope Leo XIV made Kerry teen Donal Walsh honorary Augustinian before his death in 2013

Donal Walsh’s powerful message against suicide moved a future pope, who honoured the Kerry teen days before his death

The late Donal Walsh

Pope Leo XIV made a Kerry teen an “honorary Augustinian” before he died after battling cancer in 2013.

Donal Walsh was 12 years old when he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer.

While battling a terminal diagnosis, Donal wrote a letter condemning teenage suicide and encouraging others to appreciate life. Following the letter, he made an appearance on The Saturday Night Show in April 2013.

Two days before his death, the teen was given the title of Honorary Augustinian by Fr Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, who was elected as the 267th pope.

Donal’s mother, Elma, explained that the newly elected pope got involved after his uncle, Fr Michael Walsh, who had been an Augustinian priest in Nigeria for 35 years, saw the impact the message he shared on the show had on the Irish public.

"He thought something should be done, so he wrote to his Provincial, who at the time was Bob Prevost — and now Pope Leo XIV," Ms Walsh told RTÉ.

"He asked him to acknowledge it. Now-Pope Leo made Donal an associate member of the Augustinians, which means that Donal is remembered in all the Augustinian Masses."

Ms Walsh added: “He was aware of it. It was a day or two before he died. He was upstairs in bed at the time. He was very happy that he would be associated with his uncle Michael—no doubt about that.” 

His mum added at the time, “I’m taking no vow.” 

Even though he was only 16, his mum said he was fully aware that he was dying.

“He was close to God and he didn't have any fear of dying. The only fear he had was the transition.” 

Donal was sworn in on May 10, 2013, just two days before he passed away.

Ms Walsh said the family was driving down from Knock when they heard Pope Leo XIV — "who looks like a lovely man,” she said — had been elected last week.