Pope Leo XIV declares Carlo Acutis first millennial saint
VATICAN CITY, Sep 7: Pope Leo XIV canonized Carlo Acutis, a 15-year-old tech-savvy teen, as the Catholic Church’s first millennial saint during an open-air Mass in St. Peter’s Square attended by 80,000 people.
Acutis, dubbed “God’s Influencer,” used his computer skills to document Eucharistic miracles online, blending technology and faith in a way that has resonated with young Catholics.
Born in London in 1991 and raised in Milan, Acutis showed early religious devotion, limited his screen time, and spent hours in Eucharistic adoration.
He died of leukemia in 2006 and was buried in Assisi, where his well-preserved body draws millions of pilgrims.
His sainthood reflects the Church’s desire to offer relatable role models to a new generation navigating the digital age. Leo XIV also canonized Pier Giorgio Frassati, an Italian known for his charity work and faith. Acutis’ canonization had been delayed due to Pope Francis’ death earlier this year.
Francis strongly supported Acutis’ cause, recognizing his potential to attract young believers to the faith.
The ceremony featured 36 cardinals, 270 bishops, and hundreds of priests, highlighting Acutis’ widespread appeal.
Tied to this is the Vatican’s broader effort to present a “saint next door”—ordinary but impactful—for today’s youth.
Students and Catholics around the world, like those at Blessed Carlo Acutis Parish in Chicago, view him as an inspirational figure who balanced technology use with spiritual depth.
Religious scholars see Acutis as a model for faithful engagement with digital life, emphasizing discipline and traditional spirituality.
His story exemplifies how modern tools can serve ancient faith, making him an emblem of digital-age Catholicism.
Frassati, the other newly canonized saint, died in 1925 at age 24 and was noted for his service to the poor.
Acutis’ canonization marks a turning point in how the Church honors holiness in contemporary life, providing a relatable, tech-literate role model for the next generation. (AP)
