On September 7, 2025, in a historic ceremony at St. Peter’s Square attended by some 70,000 young faithful, Pope Leo XIV canonized Carlo Acutis, officially making him the first millennial saint of the Catholic Church. Acutis, who died at the age of 15 in 2006 due to leukemia, was recognized for using his programming talent to evangelize: he created a widely acclaimed website that cataloged Eucharistic miracles. For this, he was nicknamed “God’s Influencer”, as he combined deep devotion with the digital world.
Acutis’s canonization had been delayed following the death of Pope Francis earlier this year but was finally carried out as one of the first major acts of Leo XIV’s papacy. Alongside him, Pier Giorgio Frassati, a young man from the 20th century remembered for his service to the poor and his strong spiritual commitment, was also canonized.
This milestone marks a key shift in the Church’s efforts to connect with younger generations, honoring a figure who skillfully bridged faith and technology.
Why is Carlo Acutis’s sainthood so meaningful today?
Because it shows that holiness is both accessible and relevant in the digital age: his life proves that faith and modern tools can come together to inspire young people to live with authentic spirituality.
