Carlo Acutis

Carlo Acutis (3 May 1991 – 12 October 2006) was an English-born Italian Catholic saint who was a website designer at the time of his death. He helped document Eucharistic miracles and approved Marian apparitions.[1] Acutis would record them on a website he created before his death. He was known for his computer skills, and dedication to the Eucharist.[2] He was nicknamed "God's Influencer".[3]

In May 2024, Pope Francis cleared the way for Acutis to become the first canonized millennial in the Catholic Church.[3][4] He was previously beatified by Pope Francis in October 2020.[5] He was canonized in September 2025 by Pope Leo XIV.[6]

Life

Acutis was born in London, England.[4] His family moved to Milan, Italy not long after his birth.[4] Neither of his parents were religious, and they had worked in London and Germany before Acutis was born.[1]

Acutis also struggled with his weight when he was younger.[7] As a sacrifice, he would give up sweets or his favourite movies.[8] He was inspired by the poverty the Franciscan order and wanted to do the same.[9]

Having a passion of computers and web design, Acutis began creating a website dedicated to recording each reported Eucharistic miracle in the world and keeping a list of the approved Marian apparitions of the Catholic Church.[10] Acutis launched the website in 2004[11] and worked on it for two and a half years.[12]

Acutis died on 12 October 2006 in Monza, Italy from a cerebral hemorrhage caused by cancer-related treatments at the age of 15.[13] He was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia a week before his death.[13]

It was Acutis' final wish to be buried in Assisi after his death.[14] In April 2018, his body, which did not decompose was brought to the Sanctuary of the Spoliation so that people could visit and pray at his tomb and body.[15]

Legacy

Acutis was beatified by Pope Francis on 10 October 2020, two days before the 14th anniversary of his death.[5]

In April 2022, the first life-sized statue of Acutis in the United Kingdom was honored at Carfin Grotto, North Lanarkshire, Scotland.[16]

Pope Francis has also spoken about Acutis as a model for people who live normal lives to "grow in holiness".[17]

On 23 May 2024, Pope Francis recognized a miracle done by Acutis, making it possible for him to become the first canonized millennial in the Catholic Church.[3][4]

On 20 November 2024, it was announced that Acutis would be canonized in the 2025 Jubilee during the Jubilee of Teenagers from 25 to 27 April 2025, with the Diocese of Assisi confirming it would be on Sunday, 27 April.[18] However, following Pope Francis's death on Easter Monday, 21 April 2025, the Vatican announced that the ceremony would be postponed. On 13 June 2025, Pope Leo XIV announced that Acutis would be canonized alongside Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati.[6] The canonisation took place in Saint Peter's Square on 7 September 2025.[19]

More readings

  • Conquer, Will (2021). Carlo Acutis: A Millennial in Paradise. Sophia Institute Press.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Smith, Scott. "Blessed Biographies: Carlo Acutis, Future Patron Saint of the Internet". All Roads Lead to Rome. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  2. ↑ "Carlo Acutis 'Always Lived in the Presence of God'". National Catholic Register. 27 June 2020.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Pope clears sainthood for Italian Millennial known as 'God's Influencer'". Reuters. 23 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Petri, Alexandra E. (24 May 2024). "Italian Teenager to Become the First Millennial Saint". The New York Times. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Beatification of Carlo Acutis: The First Millennial Is Declared 'Blessed'". National Catholic Register. 10 October 2020. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati to be canonized together". Vatican News. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  7. ↑ Conquer 2021, p. 77.
  8. ↑ Conquer 2021, p. 64.
  9. ↑ Conquer 2021, p. 100.
  10. ↑ Murphy, Alyssa (7 October 2020). "17 Things Every Catholic Should Know About Soon-to-be-Saint Carlo Acutis". National Catholic Register. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  11. ↑ Conquer 2021, p. 192.
  12. ↑ Conquer 2021, p. 128.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Blessed Carlo Acutis' doctors recall his last days in hospital". Catholic News Agency. 25 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  14. ↑ Conquer 2021, p. 175.
  15. ↑ Conquer 2021, p. 175-6.
  16. ↑ "The UK's First Statue of Blessed Carlo Acutis". 29 April 2022 – via YouTube.
  17. ↑ Conquer 2021, p. 171.
  18. ↑ Mares, Courtney (20 Nov 2024). "Pope Francis announces 2025 canonizations for Carlo Acutis, Pier Giorgio Frassati during Jubilee celebrations". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved 20 Nov 2024.
  19. ↑ Connolly, Kate; Giuffrida, Angela (7 September 2025). "Pope Leo XIV declares 15-year-old computer whiz Carlo Acutis "God's influencer" saint". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 September 2025.

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