Tens of thousands of faithful are expected to gather at the Vatican this Sunday for a historic moment—the canonisation of Carlo Acutis, a 15-year-old Italian teenager who will become the first millennial saint in the Catholic Church.
Carlo, who passed away from leukemia in 2006, is known by many as “God’s Influencer” for using the internet to share and defend his Catholic faith.
The special canonisation ceremony will be led by Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter’s Square. This will also mark the new Pope’s first saint-making ceremony since the death of Pope Francis earlier this year.
Carlo Acutis was born in London in 1991 to Italian parents but grew up in Milan, Italy. Though his parents were not very religious, Carlo developed a deep love for God at a young age.
He went to daily Mass, prayed the Rosary regularly, and was known for his kindness—especially toward the poor and those who were bullied.
Carlo was also passionate about computers and taught himself coding. He created a website that catalogued Eucharistic miracles around the world, hoping to bring others closer to God through technology. His life earned him the nickname “cyber-apostle.”
More than 800 people from Assisi, the town where Carlo is buried, have traveled to Rome by special train to attend the Mass. Large crowds are also expected to gather in Assisi, where giant screens will broadcast the ceremony live.
In Assisi, Carlo’s body lies in a glass tomb, dressed in jeans and Nike sneakers—a reminder that saints can come from modern times and live ordinary lives.
A large tapestry bearing his photo now hangs on the front of St. Peter’s Basilica in preparation for the event.
In the Catholic Church, two confirmed miracles are needed for someone to become a saint. In Carlo’s case, the first miracle was the healing of a Brazilian boy who had a rare illness in his pancreas.
The second miracle involved a Costa Rican girl who recovered from a traumatic brain injury after her mother prayed to Carlo.
These two miracles were officially recognized by the Vatican, clearing the final step for Carlo’s canonisation. He had already been beatified in 2020 by Pope Francis, a major milestone on the path to sainthood.
Carlo’s mother, Antonia Salzano, said in a video shared by the Assisi diocese that her son’s life shows that “everyone is called to be a saint” and that “everyone is special in God’s eyes.”
The Bishop of Assisi, Domenico Sorrentino, urged young people to follow Carlo’s example rather than chasing unhealthy trends.
“Today, more than ever, we need real heroes—young people with values, compassion, and faith,” he said.
Carlo Acutis represents a new kind of saint—one that today’s generation can relate to. He was a teenager who loved video games, wore sneakers, and used social media, but also had a strong heart for God and service.
As he becomes the first saint born in the internet era, his life sends a powerful message: you don’t have to be perfect or famous to make a difference—you just need faith and love.
