On Sunday, April 27, 2025, the Catholic Church will make history by canonizing Carlo Acutis, a 15-year-old Italian teenager who died of leukemia in 2006. Known as "God’s Influencer" for his tech-savvy approach to spreading the Catholic faith, Acutis will become the first saint of the millennial generation, born between 1981 and 1996. This momentous occasion, set to take place during the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year, marks a significant milestone, not only for the Church but also for a world increasingly shaped by technology and digital innovation. Acutis’s canonization reflects the Church’s recognition of holiness in the modern age, bridging the gap between ancient faith and contemporary life.
The Life of Carlo Acutis: A Beacon of Faith in the Digital Age
Carlo Acutis was born on May 3, 1991, in London, England, to Italian parents, Andrea and Antonia Acutis. Though his family was not particularly religious, Carlo developed a profound devotion to Catholicism from a young age. His spiritual journey began at age seven when he received his First Communion, an experience that ignited a lifelong passion for the Eucharist. This devotion became the cornerstone of his faith, shaping his actions and inspiring those around him.
Growing up in Milan, Italy, Carlo was described as an ordinary teenager with extraordinary faith. He attended daily Mass, prayed regularly, and volunteered to help the homeless, demonstrating a commitment to living out the teachings of Christ. His mother, Antonia, recounted a story from his childhood that illustrates his spiritual maturity. At a daycare center, when bullied by other children, Carlo responded calmly, saying, “Jesus would not be happy if I lost my temper,” reflecting his deep understanding of Christian values even at a young age.
What set Carlo apart was his ability to blend his faith with his passion for technology. A self-taught computer programmer, he used his skills to create a website called The Eucharistic Miracles of the World, which cataloged documented miracles related to the Eucharist from around the globe. This digital platform became a powerful tool for evangelization, earning him the nickname "God’s Influencer" and, informally, the "patron saint of the internet." His work demonstrated that technology could be harnessed for spiritual purposes, making faith accessible to a global audience in the digital age.
Tragically, Carlo’s life was cut short when he was diagnosed with leukemia in 2006. He passed away on October 12 of that year at the age of 15, leaving behind a legacy of faith, compassion, and innovation. His final wish was to be laid to rest in Assisi, Italy, a city closely associated with St. Francis, one of his spiritual inspirations. Today, his body, preserved in a wax mold and dressed in his favorite casual attire—blue jeans and Nike sneakers—lies in an open tomb at the Sanctuary of the Spoliation in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Assisi, attracting pilgrims from around the world.
The Path to Sainthood: Miracles and Canonization
In the Catholic Church, canonization is the formal process by which a person is declared a saint, recognizing their holiness and their ability to intercede on behalf of those who pray in their name. The process is rigorous, requiring evidence of a virtuous life and the attribution of at least two miracles performed through the individual’s intercession after their death.
Carlo Acutis’s journey to sainthood began in 2020 when he was beatified, the first step toward canonization, after the Vatican recognized his first miracle. This miracle involved the healing of a Brazilian boy suffering from annular pancreas, a rare congenital condition. The boy’s recovery, deemed inexplicable by medical experts, was attributed to Carlo’s intercession after the child touched a relic associated with him.
The second miracle, recognized by Pope Francis in 2024, further solidified Carlo’s path to sainthood. This miracle involved Valeria Valverde, a university student from Costa Rica studying in Florence, Italy. On July 2, 2022, Valeria suffered severe head trauma after falling from her bicycle, resulting in a brain hemorrhage and a low chance of survival. Her mother, Liliana, made a pilgrimage to Carlo’s tomb in Assisi on July 8, 2022, praying for her daughter’s recovery. That same day, Valeria began to breathe spontaneously. By July 18, a scan revealed that her hemorrhage had disappeared, and she soon regained her speech and mobility. By September 2, 2022, Valeria and her mother returned to Carlo’s tomb to give thanks for her remarkable recovery.
These two miracles fulfilled the Church’s requirements for canonization, leading to the historic decision to declare Carlo Acutis a saint. On July 1, 2024, Pope Francis and the College of Cardinals voted to approve his canonization during an Ordinary Public Consistory at the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace. The ceremony, scheduled for April 27, 2025, will take place during the 2025 Jubilee Year, a significant event in the Catholic Church celebrated every 25 years. The Jubilee, which began on December 24, 2024, with the opening of the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica, will conclude in Rome on January 6, 2026, during the Solemnity of Epiphany.
The Significance of a Millennial Saint
Carlo Acutis’s canonization is a landmark moment for the Catholic Church, as he becomes the first saint born in the millennial generation. His life and legacy resonate deeply with young Catholics and the broader global community, offering a model of holiness that is relatable and relevant in the 21st century. Unlike many traditional saints, whose stories are rooted in distant historical contexts, Carlo’s life unfolded in a world of smartphones, social media, and digital connectivity—making him a uniquely modern figure.
His nickname, "God’s Influencer," reflects his ability to use technology as a tool for evangelization. In an era where social media influencers dominate popular culture, Carlo’s story offers a counter-narrative: a young person who used his digital platform not for personal gain but to share his faith and inspire others. His website, The Eucharistic Miracles of the World, remains active, continuing to educate and engage people worldwide about the Catholic faith.
Carlo’s canonization also highlights the Church’s efforts to remain relevant in a rapidly changing world. By recognizing a tech-savvy teenager as a saint, the Church acknowledges the potential of technology to serve as a force for good. This is particularly significant at a time when debates about the ethical implications of technology—such as artificial intelligence, social media, and digital privacy—are at the forefront of global discourse. Carlo’s example demonstrates that technology, when guided by faith and moral principles, can be a powerful tool for spreading love, compassion, and spiritual truth.
The Intersection of Faith and Technology
Carlo Acutis’s story is a testament to the compatibility of faith and technology, two spheres often seen as at odds with each other. In a world where technology is sometimes blamed for fostering materialism, distraction, or disconnection, Carlo’s life offers a different perspective. He viewed technology not as a barrier to spirituality but as a means to deepen his relationship with God and share his faith with others.
His creation of The Eucharistic Miracles of the World was a pioneering effort in digital evangelization. The website, meticulously designed and curated, documents miracles associated with the Eucharist, such as instances of consecrated hosts bleeding or transforming in ways deemed miraculous by the Church. By making this information accessible online, Carlo reached a global audience, including those who might not otherwise engage with Catholic teachings.
This approach aligns with the Catholic Church’s broader efforts to embrace digital platforms for evangelization. In recent years, the Vatican has launched initiatives such as the Click to Pray app, which encourages users to pray and connect with others in a digital community. Pope Francis himself has spoken about the importance of using technology responsibly, emphasizing that it should serve humanity rather than dominate it. Carlo’s canonization reinforces this message, positioning him as a role model for young Catholics navigating the digital age.
The Global Impact of Carlo’s Canonization
The announcement of Carlo Acutis’s canonization has resonated far beyond the Catholic Church, capturing the attention of people worldwide. In Assisi, where his body is displayed, crowds of pilgrims and tourists have flocked to the Sanctuary of the Spoliation to pray and pay their respects. Souvenir shops in the medieval town have stocked mementos bearing Carlo’s image, reflecting his growing popularity among the faithful.
On social media platforms like X, posts about Carlo’s canonization have sparked discussions about his life and legacy. Many users have expressed admiration for his ability to combine faith and technology, with some calling him an inspiration for young people seeking to make a positive impact in the world. Others have shared personal stories of how Carlo’s intercession has touched their lives, further amplifying his influence.
The global interest in Carlo’s story underscores the universal appeal of his message. In a world marked by division, uncertainty, and rapid technological change, his life offers a beacon of hope and a reminder of the power of faith, compassion, and purpose. His canonization comes at a time when young people, in particular, are grappling with questions of identity, meaning, and their place in an increasingly complex world. Carlo’s example—rooted in simplicity, humility, and service—provides a roadmap for living a meaningful life in the modern age.
Ethical and Theological Reflections
The canonization of Carlo Acutis also invites reflection on the ethical and theological dimensions of his story. From a theological perspective, his life challenges the notion that holiness is reserved for the extraordinary or the distant past. Carlo was an ordinary teenager who loved video games, soccer, and spending time with friends, yet he lived with an extraordinary commitment to his faith. His story reminds Catholics that sainthood is not about perfection but about striving to live in accordance with God’s will, even in the mundane moments of daily life.
Ethically, Carlo’s canonization raises questions about the role of technology in shaping human values. His use of digital tools for evangelization highlights the potential for technology to foster connection and understanding, but it also prompts reflection on the risks of technology when used without a moral compass. Issues such as digital addiction, misinformation, and the erosion of privacy are pressing concerns in the modern world, and Carlo’s example encourages a thoughtful approach to navigating these challenges.
Furthermore, his canonization prompts discussion about the nature of miracles in the 21st century. The two miracles attributed to Carlo—both involving physical healings—affirm the Church’s belief in the supernatural power of intercession. However, they also invite scrutiny from skeptics who question the validity of miracles in an age of advanced medical science. The Vatican’s rigorous process for verifying miracles, which includes consultation with medical experts, aims to address such skepticism, but the debate persists. Carlo’s miracles, like his life, bridge the gap between the spiritual and the material, inviting believers and non-believers alike to consider the mysteries of faith.
The Role of the 2025 Jubilee Year
The timing of Carlo Acutis’s canonization during the 2025 Jubilee Year adds an additional layer of significance. The Jubilee, a tradition in the Catholic Church dating back centuries, is a time of spiritual renewal, forgiveness, and pilgrimage. The 2025 Jubilee, themed around hope, is expected to draw millions of pilgrims to Rome and other holy sites, including Assisi, where Carlo’s tomb has become a focal point of devotion.
The Jubilee Year, which began on December 24, 2024, and will conclude on January 6, 2026, provides a fitting backdrop for Carlo’s canonization. His life embodies the Jubilee’s themes of hope, reconciliation, and renewal, offering a message of optimism in a world often marked by despair. His canonization ceremony on April 27, 2025, will likely be a highlight of the Jubilee, drawing global attention to his story and its relevance for contemporary society.
The Legacy of Carlo Acutis
As the Catholic Church prepares to canonize Carlo Acutis, his legacy continues to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds. For young Catholics, he is a relatable figure—a teenager who faced the same challenges and opportunities as his peers yet chose to live with purpose and faith. For the Church, he represents a bridge between tradition and modernity, demonstrating that holiness is timeless and can flourish in any era.
His story also has implications for the broader conversation about technology and its role in society. As artificial intelligence, social media, and digital platforms reshape the way we live, work, and connect, Carlo’s example offers a model for using technology to serve the greater good. His website, The Eucharistic Miracles of the World, remains a testament to his vision, continuing to educate and inspire people long after his death.
Moreover, Carlo’s canonization challenges stereotypes about sainthood. He was not a cloistered monk or a martyr in the traditional sense but a young person who lived an ordinary life with extraordinary faith. His casual attire—jeans and sneakers—displayed in his tomb, contrasts with the traditional image of saints in robes and halos, making him a uniquely accessible figure for the modern world.
Conclusion: A Saint for the Digital Age
The canonization of Carlo Acutis as the first millennial saint is a historic moment that resonates far beyond the Catholic Church. His life, marked by faith, compassion, and innovation, offers a powerful example of how to navigate the complexities of the modern world with purpose and integrity. As "God’s Influencer," Carlo used technology to spread a message of love and hope, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire millions.
On April 27, 2025, as the Catholic Church celebrates his canonization during the Jubilee Year, Carlo Acutis will take his place among the saints, not as a distant figure but as a relatable young person who lived for others. His story challenges us to consider how we can use our talents, whether in technology or other fields, to make a positive impact on the world. In an age of rapid change and uncertainty, Carlo Acutis reminds us that holiness is not confined to the past but is alive and thriving in the present, waiting to be embraced by those who dare to live with faith and purpose.
