A teenager who passed away from leukaemia in 2006 has officially been recognized as the first Catholic saint of the millennial generation. The canonization of Carlo Acutis took place on October 8, 2023, during a ceremony in Vatican City led by Pope Leo, marking a significant moment for young Catholics worldwide. Thousands of young worshippers from various countries gathered to celebrate this historic event.
Carlo Acutis, who was born in England and raised in Italy, died at the age of 15. He was known for his deep faith and his skills in computer programming, using technology to create websites that promoted the Catholic faith. Acutis now joins the ranks of revered figures such as Mother Teresa and Saint Francis of Assisi as a canonized saint.
Pope Leo Leads the Ceremony
Pope Leo, the first pontiff from the United States, presided over the canonization, which also included Pier Giorgio Frassati, another young Italian known for his charitable works who died of polio in the 1920s. In his remarks to the crowds in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo emphasized that both Acutis and Frassati serve as exemplary models of holiness and compassion. “All of you, all of us together, are called to be saints,” he declared to the gathered youth, who filled the square and spilled onto the main boulevard leading to the Vatican.
The canonization of Acutis had been highly anticipated by many young Catholics, initially scheduled for April but postponed due to the passing of Pope Francis. This ceremony marked Pope Leo’s first canonization as pope, underscoring its significance within the Church.
Youth Connection and Inspiration
Among those present was Antonio D’Averio, a 24-year-old computer programmer who expressed deep resonance with Acutis’ story. He described the canonization as “a hand extended by the Church toward us young people,” highlighting the relevance of Acutis’ legacy in today’s digital world. “For a saint, it’s certainly something new,” D’Averio stated, noting the importance of modernity in faith.
Clara Marugan Martin, a 20-year-old from Spain, also attended the event, expressing her admiration for both saints. “We are very pleased to be here because Carlo and Pier Giorgio are two examples of young people full of God, full of grace, and we want to follow their steps,” she shared.
Canonization signifies the Church’s belief that an individual lived a holy life and is now in Heaven with God. Other young saints include Therese of Lisieux, who died at 24 in 1897, and Aloysius Gonzaga, who died at 23 in 1591 after caring for victims of a plague in Rome.
As Acutis’ path to sainthood progressed, his remains were moved to a church in Assisi, in accordance with his final wishes. His burial site, where he is interred with a wax likeness of himself dressed in casual attire, has become a popular pilgrimage destination, attracting thousands of visitors each day.
The canonization ceremony not only marks a pivotal moment in the Church but also serves as a source of inspiration for the younger generation, reaffirming the connection between faith and contemporary life.