VATICAN CITY, Rome — Carlo Acutis, a London-born teenager dubbed, God’s Influencer, for his pioneering online evangelism, will be canonised as a saint by the Catholic Church in April 2025, Pope Francis announced on Wednesday, November 20, 2024.
Acutis, who passed away from leukaemia in 2006 at the age of 15, will become the first millennial to achieve sainthood.
The teenager is celebrated for his dedication to spreading the Catholic faith online, including creating a website to document Eucharistic miracles worldwide.
Pope Francis attributed a second miracle to Acutis in May 2024, paving the way for his sainthood.
The miracle involved the healing of a university student in Florence who recovered from severe brain bleeding following a head injury.
A Digital Apostle
Born in London in 1991, Acutis spent much of his childhood in Italy, where he developed a passion for technology and faith.
Known for his technical prowess, he designed websites for his parish and Catholic organisations, earning him the nickname “God’s influencer.”
His most significant project was a website cataloguing reported Eucharistic miracles.
Launched just days before his death, the site has been translated into multiple languages and has inspired exhibitions that have travelled globally.
Acutis also devoted himself to community service and spiritual practices, frequently attending Mass and reciting the Rosary.
He was quoted as saying, “To always be close to Jesus, that’s my life plan.”
Path to Sainthood
Carlo Acutis was beatified in 2020 after his first miracle was recognised — the healing of a Brazilian child with a congenital disease.
His body was exhumed and moved to Assisi, where it remains on display alongside relics associated with his life.
Miracles, essential to the canonisation process, must demonstrate acts beyond natural explanation.
The Vatican investigates these occurrences meticulously before declaring them authentic.
Pope Francis, who has previously described Acutis as a role model for young Catholics, announced that the canonisation ceremony will take place during the weekend beginning April 26, 2025.
Legacy and Significance
Carlo Acutis has been hailed as the “patron saint of the internet” due to his use of technology to promote faith.
His work continues to resonate with Catholics globally, particularly among younger generations.
The canonisation marks a milestone for the Church, recognising a millennial who blended technology and spirituality in his mission.
Acutis’s mother, Antonia Salzano, expressed gratitude for her son’s impending sainthood: “Carlo showed us that holiness is attainable for everyone, even in our modern, digital world.”
As April approaches, Catholics worldwide are expected to gather in celebration of a young man whose life and work exemplify the intersection of faith and innovation.
