Pope Francis has made history by declaring Carlo Acutis, a teenage web designer, the first millennial to be canonized as a saint. Acutis, who passed away in 2006 at the age of 15, was known for creating a website that documented Eucharistic miracles around the world, becoming a modern-day evangelist with his coding skills. Here’s everything you need to know about Carlos Acutis’ impending canonization as a saint.
When will Carlo Acutis be canonized as a saint?
On November 20th at his weekly audience in the Vatican, Pope Francis announced that Carlos Acutis will be canonized as a saint in April 2025. He was beatified by the pope in 2020.
“I want to say that next year on the day of children and adolescents, I will canonize Carlo Acutis,” the pope said, referring to the weekend of April 25th-27th, when a church event for young people is set to take place.
Who is Carlo Acutis?
Known as God’s Influencer, Carlo Acutis was a young Italian computer programmer and devout Catholic who became known for his deep devotion to the Eucharist and his efforts to document Eucharistic miracles on a website he created before his death from leukemia in 2006. Born on May 3rd, 1991, in London, he moved to Milan with his family shortly after his birth.
Despite his young age, Carlo exhibited a profound love for God and the Church. He documented 187 Eucharistic miracles on his website, aiming to show the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. His faith and actions inspired many, including his parents, who returned to practice the Catholic faith, and his Hindu au pair, who converted to Catholicism.
Carlo’s wax-coated body, dressed in jeans and Nike sneakers, is displayed in a tomb in Assisi, Italy, where it attracts thousands of pilgrims annually.
What are the miracles attributed to Carlo Acutis?
Two miracles have been attributed to Carlo Acutis’ intercession:
- Healing of Mattheus: In 2013, a young Brazilian boy named Mattheus was suffering from a serious birth defect called an annular pancreas, which caused him severe abdominal pain and difficulty eating. After his mother prayed for Carlo’s intercession, Mattheus experienced an immediate and inexplicable healing during a prayer service. He was able to eat normally for the first time and his condition improved significantly.
- Healing of a Student in Florence: Earlier this year, a student in Florence who had a bleed on the brain was healed after prayers were made to Carlo. This second miracle paved the way for his canonization.
These two miracles have played a significant role in Carlo’s journey towards sainthood.
Carlo Acutis’ Speedy Path to Sainthood
Carlo Acutis’ unusually rapid journey to sainthood, a process that typically spans decades, is particularly striking given the current climate within the Catholic Church. His quick beatification comes at a time when church membership is experiencing a noticeable decline, particularly among younger generations in the United States and other parts of the world. The Catholic Church is facing challenges in maintaining its influence and appeal to young people, many of whom are increasingly disconnected from religious practices.
Carlo’s beatification stands as a beacon of hope for the Church, demonstrating that faith and devotion can still resonate with younger audiences, even in a digital age. His story is not only a testament to his holiness but also to the possibility of modern saints emerging from a culture dominated by technology and secularism. His use of the internet to spread his love for the Eucharist and his devotion to Christ resonates with many young people today, offering an example of how faith can be integrated into contemporary life.
His rapid path to sainthood also serves as a powerful reminder that the Church’s relevance may be shaped by adapting to the changing needs and expectations of the younger generation, offering a renewed vision of holiness that transcends traditional boundaries.