Large crowds gather in the historic town of Assisi in Italy to view the preserved body of Carlo Acutis, a 15-year-old tech-savvy Catholic who is set to become the first millennial saint.
Acutis, who died in 2006 from leukemia, gained fame and attention for using his computer skills to document Eucharistic miracles online.
Nicknamed “God’s influencer,” he is the first person born between 1981 and 1996 to be canonized by the Catholic Church. His body, dressed in a tracksuit and sneakers, lies in an open tomb at the Sanctuary of the Spoliation inside the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore.
In recent weeks, pilgrims and tourists have packed the church to pray and pay their respects. Souvenir shops across the medieval town have stocked mementos bearing Acutis’s image, reflecting his growing popularity among young Catholics and the faithful worldwide.
Carlo Acutis was born in London on May 3, 1991 and moved to Milan, Italy, as a child. Although his family was not particularly religious, Carlo developed a deep spiritual devotion from an early age that would shape his life and legacy. His faith journey began at the age of seven when he received his First Communion, an experience that marked the beginning of his close relationship with the Eucharist.
Carlo’s faith grew stronger each day. He attended daily Mass, dedicated time to prayer, volunteered to help the homeless, and developed a profound devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.
His love for God was evident in his daily life and actions, even when he was just a child. One particular incident stands out as an example of his maturity and deep faith. During a visit to daycare, Carlo was bullied by other children. When a Polish nanny suggested that he learn to set boundaries so he wouldn’t lose his toys, Carlo calmly replied, “Jesus would not be happy if I lost my temper.” This response reflected his commitment to living out the teachings of Christ, even in challenging situations.
Pilgrims have been travelling to the medieval town of Assisi in Italy to view the body of our Blessed #CarloAcutis ahead of his canonisation as a saint next month.
He died aged 15 from leukaemia in 2006 & is the #Catholic Church’s first millennial saint after being credited… pic.twitter.com/C7xh3BuVcE
— Mr Pål Christiansen (@TheNorskaPaul) March 20, 2025
In the summers, Carlo would visit his mother’s parents in Centola, where he spent time with his grandparents and fellow parishioners. After a day at the beach, Carlo would join older women in the local parish church to pray the Rosary. His dedication to prayer, particularly his love for the Rosary, was an essential part of his daily routine, helping him to grow closer to God.
At a young age, he began creating a website to record and explain reports of global Eucharistic miracles.
One of Carlo’s remarkable qualities was his ability to inspire others with his love for Christ. He formed lasting friendships with people from different walks of life, including Rajesh Mohur, a Brahmin immigrant from Mauritius who worked in the Acutis household. Through their conversations about Christianity, Mohur became inspired by Carlo’s faith and eventually asked to be baptized. Soon after, a friend of Mohur’s, Seeven Kistnen, also converted to Christianity and was baptized. Mohur’s mother, visiting from Mauritius, attended Mass with Carlo and Rajesh, and after lengthy discussions with Carlo, she too asked to be baptized.
Throughout his short life, Carlo Acutis was not only devoted to the Eucharist and prayer, but he also sought to bring others to Christ. His ability to share his faith and inspire conversions in those around him is one of the many reasons his life has left a lasting impact. Carlo’s deep love for God, his commitment to living a life free from sin, and his ability to lead others to Christ have made him an inspiring figure for people of all ages.
Carlo’s unwavering faith was further demonstrated during his illness. Towards the end of his life, he was diagnosed with leukemia. Despite the pain and suffering, he accepted his condition with remarkable peace and strength. Carlo’s faith never faltered, and he continued to pray fervently, offering up his suffering for others. He famously said, “I am happy to die because I have lived my life without wasting a minute on those things which do not please God.” His acceptance of suffering and his deep trust in God’s plan was a testament to his extraordinary faith.
Acutis died on Oct. 12, 2006, and was buried in Assisi in 2019, a town he admired for its connection to St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of the poor.
The Catholic Church officially recognized a miracle attributed to Acutis in 2020, leading to his beatification—the third of four steps in the sainthood process.
The Vatican credited the first millennial saint for the healing of a 6-year-old boy in Brazil who suffered from a rare pancreatic disease. The boy recovered after coming into contact with a relic of Acutis and following prayers made in the teenager’s name.
A second miracle was approved in May 2024. The Church stated that Acutis’ intercession was responsible for the recovery of a young woman in Costa Rica who sustained severe head trauma after a bicycle accident in Florence in 2022. Doctors had given her a low chance of survival.
After her mother prayed at Acutis’ tomb in Assisi, the woman reportedly began to breathe on her own and later showed signs of significant recovery.
With two miracles confirmed, the Vatican will now proceed with Acutis’ canonization to officially declare him the first millennial saint. Church officials have announced that the ceremony may occur between April 25 and April 27, during the Church’s Jubilee of Teenagers.
Acutis’ heart is preserved in a reliquary at the nearby Basilica of St. Francis, while his full body remains on display for public veneration. The Church has not confirmed how long the body will remain visible.
Acutis’ canonization marks a rare moment for the Catholic Church—honoring a modern teenager who connected faith with digital life.
“Sadness is the gaze directed inwards, while happiness is the gaze directed toward God.”
“I am happy to die because I have lived my life without wasting a minute on those things which do not please God.”
“Our goal must be infinite, not the finite. The infinite is our homeland. Heaven has been waiting for us forever.”
“The only thing we have to ask God for, in prayer, is the desire to be holy.”
“The more Eucharist we receive, the more we will become like Jesus, so that on this earth we will have a foretaste of heaven.”
