Tens of thousands of people gathered at the Vatican on Sunday as Pope Leo XIV canonized the Catholic Church's first millennial saint, an Italian teenager known for his efforts to spread the faith online.
Carlo Acutis, who was born in London and died of leukemia in 2006 at the age of 15, was canonized in a ceremony held in St. Peter's Square, with his family in attendance.
The Vatican estimated the crowd at approximately 80,000, with many young people present.
Filippo Bellaviti, 17, remarked on Acutis's ability to balance his daily life—school, football, and his passion for IT—with a strong faith.
He described the atmosphere as "beautiful," noting the affection for Acutis from people around the world.
On the same day, Pier Giorgio Frassati, an Italian mountaineering enthusiast who died of polio at 24 in 1925, was also canonized.
Tapestries featuring images of both young men adorned the facade of St. Peter's Basilica.
Pope Leo stated during his homily that Saints Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis inspire everyone, especially young people, to make their lives meaningful.
He emphasized that even the illness that cut short their lives did not prevent them from loving and dedicating themselves to God.
The canonization of Acutis, sometimes referred to as the “cyber-apostle,” has garnered global attention, as his image does not conform to the traditional representation of a Catholic saint.
His preserved body is displayed in a glass-walled tomb in Assisi, dressing in jeans and Nike trainers.
Acutis's mother, Antonia Salzano, expressed that her son serves as proof that “we are all called to be saints… everyone is special.”
She attended the mass with her family, including Acutis's siblings born after his passing. His brother Michele participated by giving a reading.
According to the diocese, nearly a million pilgrims visited Acutis's tomb in Assisi last year.
Originally scheduled for April but postponed due to the death of Pope Francis, this canonization marked the first for Pope Leo, who expressed happiness at the large turnout of young individuals.
Among those present was 15-year-old Eleanor Hauser, visiting Italy from North Carolina. She learned about Acutis from her Catholic grandmother and stated that his story demonstrates that young individuals can have a significant impact on the world.
‘Exemplary life’
Acutis, born in 1991 to Italian parents, exhibited a devout faith despite his parents' lack of strong religious practice.
He grew up in Milan, attending mass daily and earning a reputation for kindness, particularly towards bullied children and the homeless.
Acutis enjoyed computer games and taught himself coding, which he used to document miracles and aspects of the Catholic faith online.
The process of canonization involves a thorough investigation by the Vatican and specialists who verify that two miracles have occurred.
The first miracle attributed to Acutis involved the healing of a Brazilian child with a rare pancreatic condition.
The second miracle was the recovery of a Costa Rican student who suffered severe injuries in an accident.
In both cases, relatives had prayed for assistance from Acutis, who was beatified in 2020 by Pope Francis.
Frassati, also canonized on the same day, is recognized by the Church as a model of charity.
An engineering student, he dedicated himself to helping the poor and sick in his community and was beatified by John Paul II in 1990.
The Vatican confirmed the necessary second miracle for his sainthood in 2024, involving the unexplained healing of a young American man in a coma.
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