Pope Leo XIV canonized 15-year-old computer enthusiast Carlo Acutis on September 7, 2025 at an open-air Mass in St. Peter’s Square, naming him the Catholic Church’s first millennial saint and offering a tech-savvy role model for young Catholics.
Key Takeaways
- Carlo Acutis, born May 3, 1991, was canonized on September 7, 2025 in St. Peter’s Square before an estimated 80,000 people.
- Acutis died in October 2006 at age 15 of acute leukemia and is entombed in Assisi.
- He gained attention for a multilingual website documenting Eucharistic miracles and earned the nickname God’s influencer.
- The Mass also canonized Pier Giorgio Frassati, who died in 1925 at age 24.
- Pope Francis had advanced Acutis’ cause before his death in April 2025; the ceremonies were postponed and later celebrated by Pope Leo XIV.
- The Vatican said 36 cardinals and 270 bishops joined the celebration, highlighting broad support from clergy.
- Acutis is presented by the church as a contemporary model for faith in the digital age.
Verified Facts
Carlo Acutis was born in London on May 3, 1991, and his family returned to Milan during his childhood. He developed an early interest in computer science, studying programming texts well beyond his years.
Acutis completed a multilingual website cataloguing instances of Eucharistic miracles recognized by the church, a project that contributed to his public profile and the moniker God’s influencer.
He was known for daily prayer before the Eucharist, a disciplined approach to technology that included limiting video games to about one hour per week, and ordinary habits that made him relatable to young people.
In October 2006 Acutis fell ill and was diagnosed with acute leukemia. He died within days at age 15 and was buried in Assisi. His tomb and certain relics, including parts of his heart, have drawn large numbers of pilgrims since his death.
Context and Impact
The canonization is the first of a person born in the 1990s and is being framed by the Vatican as an example of how traditional Catholic devotion can intersect with modern technology and culture.
Pope Francis had actively supported the cause, arguing that a tech-literate young saint could help draw younger generations into the church. After the death of Pope Francis in April 2025, the celebrations were rescheduled and ultimately held by Pope Leo XIV.
Many millennials and young families traveled to Rome for the ceremony, reflecting the broad popular appeal of Acutis among younger Catholics and the Vatican’s aim to present a relatable saint next door.
Clergy turnout and the presence of tens of thousands of pilgrims underline the symbolic importance the hierarchy places on this canonization as a moment to address faith and digital life together.
The greatest risk in life is to waste it outside of God’s plan
Pope Leo XIV
Unconfirmed
- The precise scientific reasons for the reported preservation of Acutis’ body have not been publicly established and remain a matter of interest rather than settled explanation.
- Public accounts of relic tours and the condition of specific remains have been reported by pilgrims and media but may vary in detail across sources.
Bottom Line
The canonization of Carlo Acutis on September 7, 2025 marks a deliberate effort by the Catholic Church to present a contemporary saint who bridges traditional Eucharistic devotion and the realities of digital life. The ceremony signals continued Vatican focus on engaging younger generations while shaping a narrative about disciplined, faith-centered use of technology.