Sunday 27th of April, Carlo Acutis, will be formally canonized and declared saint. This will take place in an open air ceremony in Saint Peters square the Vatican. He will be the first saint, born in this new Millennium. His life is a testimony, to how we can achieve wonderful fruits, when we are open to the spirit of the living God. Carlo has a particular attraction for young people, he was accustomed to what it is to live in a culture so influenced by technology and social media. Despite his young life, his faith, resilience, courage and deep compassion, offers inspiration to all our lives . In this Easter Season we are encouraged to indulge in the power of hope. Easter is a time of rich grace. I pray, these days, we all will feel a sense of new life and engage with that Easter message to begin again.
Carlo Acutis was born on May 3, 1991, in London to Italian parents, Andrea Acutis and Antonia Salzano. His family moved to Milan shortly after his birth. Despite his parents not being particularly religious, Carlo showed an early and profound interest in Catholicism. By age seven, after his First Communion, he attended daily Mass, prayed the Rosary regularly, and developed a deep devotion to the Eucharist, which he called his highway to heaven.
Growing up in Milan, Carlo lived a typical teenage life, enjoying soccer, video games (especially on his PlayStation, though he limited playtime to one hour a week as a form of discipline), and computers. He taught himself coding and created a website cataloging Eucharistic miracles worldwide, which has been displayed in thousands of parishes across five continents. His tech skills earned him the nickname “patron saint of the Internet.”
Carlo was known for his kindness and empathy. He defended classmates who were bullied, especially those with disabilities, and supported friends going through tough times, like parental divorces. He used his pocket money to help the homeless, often buying sleeping bags or food for those in need. His faith inspired conversions, including that of his mother and a Hindu au pair who worked for his family.
In October 2006, at age 15, Carlo fell ill with what was initially thought to be the flu. He was soon diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia (M3), a particularly aggressive form. Despite intense pain, he offered his suffering for Pope Benedict XVI and the Church, saying, “There are people who suffer much more than me.” He received the Anointing of the Sick and Eucharist on October 10, fell into a coma the next day due to a brain hemorrhage, and died on October 12, 2006. At his request, he was buried in Assisi, reflecting his love for St. Francis of Assisi.
Carlo’s cause for sainthood began in 2013. He was declared “Venerable” in 2018 and “Blessed” in 2020 after a miracle involving the healing of a Brazilian boy with a pancreatic disorder was attributed to his intercession. A second miracle, the recovery of a Costa Rican girl from severe head trauma in 2022, led to his canonization approval. He is set to be canonized on April 27, 2025, becoming the first millennial saint.
His body, exhumed in 2019, was found intact but not incorrupt, and is displayed in a glass tomb in Assisi, dressed in jeans and sneakers, reflecting his casual style. His heart is considered a relic. Carlo’s life continues to inspire, showing that holiness is attainable even in a modern, tech-driven world. Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future. We are all called to let our light shine, to be the best version of who we really are. Saints are those who embrace the vulnerability of our human condition, with acceptance and hope. Holiness is closely connected to wholesomeness. May we feel grounded and at peace this Easter Season.
Prayer to Saint Carlo Acutis
Oh God, Our Father,
thank you for giving us Carlo,
a life example for the young
and a message of love for everyone.
You made him become enamoured with
Your Son Jesus, Making of the Eucharist
his “Highway to Heaven”.
You gave him Mary, as a most loving Mother,
and, with the Rosary, you made him
a poet of her tenderness. Receive his prayer for us.
Above all, gaze upon the poor,
whom he loved and helped.
Grant for me too, by his intercession,
the grace that I need …
And make our joy fulfilled,
placing Carlo among the Saints
of your Church, so that his smile
may shine again for us in the glory of your name. Amen