A Milan-born teenager who died of cancer at the young age of 15 is set to become the first millennial saint in the Roman Catholic Church. Carlo Acutis, who passed away in 2006, was a former computer prodigy known for spreading Catholic teachings online.
His posthumous miracles have led to his beatification in 2020 and now his upcoming canonisation by Pope Francis.
Born in London in 1991, Acutis moved to Milan with his Italian parents as a child. From a young age, he showed a deep devotion to the church, often requesting to visit churches they passed by. His mother, Antonia Salzano, shared how he would contribute his pocket money to help the less fortunate and even provide support to classmates going through difficult times.
Despite his love for playing video games, Acutis had a special spiritual life and used his internet skills to create websites for Catholic organisations. His faith only strengthened when he was diagnosed with leukaemia at 15.
His funeral drew a large crowd, with many people unable to even enter the church. Following his death, supporters from around the world petitioned for his canonisation. Almost two decades later, he is on the path to becoming the 913th saint recognised by Pope Francis.
Acutis’ journey to sainthood began with a miracle involving a seven-year-old boy who recovered after contact with one of Acutis’s T-shirts. A second miracle, involving a Costa Rican woman who recovered from a critical condition after visiting Acutis’s tomb, has now been attributed to him.
While he may have passed away at a young age, Carlo Acutis’ legacy lives on through his digital footprint and the impact he had on those around him. His upcoming canonisation serves as a symbol of hope and inspiration for young Catholics around the world.
