“Saint” Carlo Acutis: How a Teenage Tech Whiz Will Soon Make Catholic History

“The more we receive Jesus, the more we become like Jesus, and the more He will live within us and we will live in Him.”
– Carlo Acutis

*Important Note – (UPDATE: June 19, 2025):
Blessed Carlo Acutis will be canonized on September 7, 2025. The canonization was originally scheduled for April but was postponed due to the passing of Pope Francis.

In a world that increasingly pulls young people away from faith, Blessed Carlo Acutis stands as a powerful testament that holiness is possible in our modern age. As the Catholic Church prepares for his historic canonization on April 27, 2025, during the Jubilee of Teenagers, we celebrate this extraordinary young man who is set to become the first millennial saint.

The Life of Carlo: Ordinary Teen, Extraordinary Faith

Carlo was born on May 3, 1991, in London, England, to Italian parents Andrea Acutis and Antonia Salzano. Though he was raised in a family that wasn’t particularly devout, Carlo displayed a remarkable faith from an early age. After moving to Milan, Italy, he attended daily Mass from the time of his First Communion at age seven, developing a profound love for the Eucharist that would become the cornerstone of his spirituality.

What makes Carlo’s story so compelling is that he was in many ways a typical teenager. He enjoyed playing soccer, video games, and spending time with his friends. He owned a PlayStation and had a deep interest in computer programming. Yet, beneath these normal teenage interests was a soul deeply devoted to Christ.

Carlo’s faith manifested in concrete actions of service and evangelization. He used his allowance to purchase sleeping bags for the homeless in Milan and volunteered at soup kitchens. His compassion extended to schoolmates as well – he was known to stand up for those who were bullied or struggling.

The Computer Prodigy Who Proclaimed the Eucharist

What truly distinguished Carlo was his ability to combine his technical skills with his faith. Recognizing the power of digital media for evangelization, he taught himself computer programming and web design, using these skills to create a website cataloging Eucharistic miracles from around the world. This extraordinary project documented over 136 Eucharistic miracles recognized by the Church, organized by country and presented in multiple languages.

Carlo’s website became a powerful tool for catechesis, and after his death, it was developed into an international exhibition that has traveled to thousands of parishes and religious institutions across five continents. His innovation showed how modern technology could be harnessed for sharing the faith, earning him the nickname “the patron of the internet.”

His famous quote: “People who put themselves in front of the sun get a tan, but people who put themselves in front of Jesus in the Eucharist become saints,” reflects his profound understanding of how the Eucharist transforms us.

Illness and Death: Offering His Suffering

In early October 2006, at only 15 years of age, Carlo was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia – the most aggressive form of leukemia. With the same serenity that characterized his life, he accepted this diagnosis saying, “I offer all the suffering I will have to suffer for the Lord, for the Pope, and for the Church.”

Throughout his brief illness, he never complained about his pain, instead offering it for the Church and for people who were suffering more than him. He died on October 12, 2006, and was buried in Assisi per his request, having been deeply inspired by St. Francis.

The Path to Sainthood

Carlo’s reputation for holiness spread quickly after his death. In 2013, just seven years after his passing, the Archdiocese of Milan opened his cause for canonization.

On October 10, 2020, Carlo was beatified in a ceremony at the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi after the Vatican recognized a miracle attributed to his intercession – the healing of a Brazilian boy born with a malformed pancreas.

In May 2024, Pope Francis recognized a second miracle attributed to Carlo’s intercession – the healing of Valeria Valverde, a 21-year-old woman from Costa Rica who had suffered a serious head injury in a bicycle accident while studying in Florence in 2022. After her mother prayed at Carlo’s tomb in Assisi, Valeria began to breathe independently and eventually made a complete recovery that doctors could not explain medically.

Pope Francis has officially announced that Carlo will be canonized on April 27, 2025, during the Jubilee of Teenagers in St. Peter’s Square. This timing is especially fitting for a young saint who speaks so powerfully to today’s youth.

Why Carlo Matters to Today’s Catholics

Carlo Acutis is not just another name in the Church’s long list of saints. He represents something profoundly relevant for our times – a model of holiness that speaks directly to digital natives and demonstrates that a life deeply devoted to the Eucharist is possible in our modern world.

For young Catholics especially, Carlo offers a compelling witness that one need not choose between being “normal” and being holy. His life demonstrates that authentic faith can be lived amid video games, social media, and all the typical activities of contemporary teenage life.

His devotion to the Eucharist challenges Catholics of all ages. In an era when belief in the Real Presence is declining in many parts of the world, Carlo’s witness reminds us that the Eucharist is truly the “highway to heaven.”

For parents, Carlo’s story offers hope. Though he showed an extraordinary faith from an early age, his parents weren’t particularly devout when he was born. His mother has shared how it was Carlo who drew her deeper into the faith, a reminder that sometimes our children can be our greatest teachers.

Legacy and Continuing Impact

Carlo’s influence continues to grow. Catholic schools from Australia to Canada have been named in his honor. His Eucharistic miracles exhibition has traveled globally, inspiring countless people to deepen their devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. His tomb in Assisi has become a pilgrimage site, drawing visitors from around the world.

The announcement of his canonization has sparked enthusiasm across the Catholic world, especially among young people who see in Carlo a relatable example of modern holiness. As the first millennial saint, Carlo represents a new generation of Catholics finding their way to Christ in a digital age.

A Final Thought

At a time when the Church is working to reconnect with younger generations, Carlo Acutis offers a powerful example of authentic faith lived joyfully in the modern world. His life reminds us that holiness is not an antiquated concept but a vibrant possibility for everyone – even teenagers with PlayStations and social media accounts.

We invite you to join us in a Prayer to St. Carlo Acutis, asking for his intercession to help us recognize Christ in the Eucharist and in following his example of faith in the digital world. You can find the prayer in the link below, or by visiting our YouTube channel and website.

May Blessed (soon to be Saint) Carlo Acutis pray for us all, especially for the young people seeking to follow Christ in today’s complex world.

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