Carlo Acutis Becomes the First Millennial Saint
Thousands of people gathered in St. Peter’s Square this past Sunday to witness history being made. The Vatican saw an overwhelming crowd of pilgrims as Pope Leo XIV officially canonised Carlo Acutis, a London-born Italian teenager, now recognised as the first millennial saint. His story has been called both inspiring and extraordinary, especially because he lived such a short life—only 15 years—before his death from leukaemia in 2006.
Carlo was no ordinary teenager. He loved computers, gaming, and technology, but unlike many kids his age, he decided to use his skills for faith and service. His passion for programming led him to build websites that catalogued miracles and supported Catholic organisations, earning him nicknames like “God’s Influencer” and the “Cyber Apostle.” While he enjoyed everyday activities such as playing sports and hanging out with friends, his discipline was remarkable. For example, he limited himself to just an hour of PlayStation a week, choosing instead to devote much of his time to prayer, Mass, and helping the poor.
At the canonisation ceremony, tapestries bearing Carlo’s image were draped across St. Peter’s Basilica. The Pope praised him as someone who showed the world how to live fully within God’s plan, describing his short life as a “masterpiece of faith.” Alongside Carlo, another young figure, Pier Giorgio Frassati—an Italian who devoted his life to serving the poor before dying in 1925—was also declared a saint.
Also Read:- Davante Adams’ Basketball Roots Still Fuel His NFL Greatness
- Nagelsmann Raises Doubts Over Woltemade’s £90m Newcastle Move
The atmosphere in Rome was said to be electric, almost like a festival. Estimates suggest around 80,000 people crowded the square and surrounding streets, with many young pilgrims from Italy and abroad taking part. Pope Leo, dressed in golden vestments, told the gathering that saints like Carlo are a reminder to young people not to waste their lives but to lift them “upwards.”
Carlo’s influence has only grown since his death. His body rests in Assisi, famously associated with St. Francis, and his shrine has become a place of pilgrimage for over a million visitors in the past year alone. His relics, including his heart kept in a golden casket, have travelled worldwide, spreading devotion to him even further.
What accelerated Carlo’s sainthood were the miracles attributed to his intercession. One involved a boy in Brazil recovering from a rare pancreatic disease, and another was the healing of a student in Florence who suffered severe brain bleeding after an accident. Both were credited to prayers made to Carlo.
Carlo’s mother, Antonia Salzano, who attended the Mass with his siblings, described her son as a normal, cheerful boy with a deep devotion to God and compassion for those in need. She recalled how he often helped beggars outside their Milan home, bringing them food and blankets.
In the end, the Vatican’s decision to elevate Carlo Acutis so quickly highlights the Church’s desire to connect with young generations. His example shows that technology, when used wisely, can be a tool for faith, kindness, and inspiration. His canonisation wasn’t just a solemn ritual—it was celebrated like the crowning of a new hero for the digital age.
Read More:
0 Comments