On Sunday, Carlo Acutis, an Italian boy who died of leukaemia at just 15, was canonised, becoming the first saint from the Millennial generation. Dubbed "God's influencer", Acutis was beatified in 2020 at the Basilica of St Francis of Assisi, Italy. His canonisation was originally scheduled for April this year but was postponed following the death of Pope Francis.
Born in London in 1991 to Italian parents and raised in Milan, Acutis had a keen interest in video games and technology, but he channelled that passion into creating websites for Catholic organisations, documenting miracles, and promoting the faith. He also helped disadvantaged people in his community, supported the poor, stood up for victims of school bullying, and offered comfort to children of divorced parents, according to CNN.
The Vatican states that after his death, Carlo miraculously saved the lives of several young people. In 2013, he is said to have healed a boy suffering from pancreatic cancer through divine intervention. Pope Francis attributed a second miraculous healing to him in May 2024, paving the way for his canonisation, as reported by Telex.
Acutis has become a household name among young people around the world, serving as a relatable role model far removed from traditional saintly imagery. He is often depicted in jeans, a T-shirt, and trainers: an image that resonates with today's youth. His mother, Antonia Salzano, believes Carlo's life and faith offer guidance for those navigating the challenges of the digital age: "Carlo said that yes, the internet should be used for good purposes."
One of the core messages of Carlo's life is the importance of individual uniqueness: "Everyone is special, everyone has a calling. If we don't recognise that mission, we become merely a copy of someone else," his mother said.
The canonisation process moved unusually fast. Two miracles needed to be verified. The first involved the healing of a Brazilian boy born with a congenital illness. The second was the recovery of a Costa Rican girl who sustained a severe head injury after falling off her bike. Vatican medical and theological experts thoroughly examined the authenticity of the miracles.
On 1 October 2006, Carlo developed a sore throat. A week later, on 8 October, he was too unwell to attend Mass. Soon afterwards, doctors diagnosed him with acute promyelocytic leukaemia and told his family there was no hope of survival. When asked by doctors whether he was in much pain, Carlo replied, "There are people who are suffering much more than I am."
His final words to his mother were:
"Mum, don't be afraid. Since Jesus became a man, death has become the passage towards life, and we don't need to flee it. Let us prepare ourselves to experience something extraordinary in eternal life."
Carlo then fell into a coma and was transferred to the ICU. After suffering a cerebral haemorrhage, he was declared brain-dead on 11 October. Carlo died on 12 October 2006, at 6:45 p.m., at the age of 15.
Today, thousands of young people make pilgrimages to Carlo's tomb in Assisi. Churches and schools around the world have been dedicated in his honour.