A British teenager named Carlo Acutis has been declared a saint by Pope Leo during a ceremony that drew thousands of worshippers. This marked Pope Leo’s first canonisation ceremony, where he also elevated another beloved Italian figure, Pier Giorgio Frassati, to sainthood. The event took place in St. Peter’s Square, attracting a large crowd, including many millennials and families with young children. Originally scheduled earlier in the year, the ceremonies were postponed due to the passing of Pope Francis in April.
The Vatican reported that 36 cardinals, 270 bishops, and numerous priests participated in the Mass led by Pope Leo, underscoring the widespread appeal of these saints among both the clergy and the general faithful.
Carlo Acutis, born in London but raised in Milan, gained international recognition among young Catholics as a modern and relatable role model who leveraged technology to promote his faith. Despite being just 15 years old, he mastered internet coding to share his beliefs in the Catholic Church.
Known for his balanced approach to life, Carlo dedicated only an hour per week to video games, prioritizing real human connections over virtual ones. Alongside typical teenage activities like hiking and gaming, he also engaged in catechism teachings at a local parish and volunteered to assist the homeless.
At the age of 11, Carlo started developing an online display about over 100 eucharistic miracles acknowledged by the church throughout history, emphasizing the Catholic belief in the real presence of Christ in the consecrated elements. Tragically, at 15, he succumbed to acute leukemia in 2006, and his remains were laid to rest in an Assisi cemetery as per his wish, reflecting his admiration for St. Francis, the medieval saint.
Following his passing, numerous young Catholics have visited Assisi to pay homage to Carlo, viewing his preserved body through a transparent tomb. Dressed casually in jeans, Nike shoes, and a sweatshirt, with a Rosary in his hands, Carlo continues to inspire many.
Carlo Acutis was beatified in 2020 after the Vatican acknowledged a miraculous recovery attributed to his intercession involving a child in Brazil. Subsequently, in a second miracle accredited to him, a Costa Rican student in Italy experienced a complete healing from severe head injuries sustained in a bicycle accident, following his mother’s prayers at Carlo’s tomb.
Pope Francis actively supported Carlo’s path to sainthood, recognizing the importance of attracting young Catholics to the church while addressing the challenges of the digital era. In a 2019 statement, Pope Francis praised Carlo for his adept use of modern communication technologies to spread the Gospel and promote moral values and beauty.
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