Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York described conservative commentator and activist Charlie Kirk as a "modern-day Saint Paul" and "fearless missionary."

Dolan said he spent a week delving into Kirk’s background, calling him a “passionate evangelist,” and a “true hero.”

Kirk was shot and killed on September 10 at a college campus in Utah during a Turning Point USA event.

“When I first heard the news, I found myself wondering who he truly was,” Dolan said on Fox News. “That reflection led to an overwhelming sense of sorrow—and, paradoxically, renewal. I felt compelled to learn more, and as I did, I saw in him the spirit of a modern-day Saint Paul.”

Dolan lauded Kirk’s commitment to debating controversial societal issues.

“Kirk understands the essence of Jesus' words: 'The truth will set you free,’” Dolan said. “He may be blunt at times, and unafraid of confrontation, but there’s an underlying respect in how he handles these challenges. It’s a style that I believe truly reflects a saintly commitment to truth and to the mission of evangelism.”