Carlo Acutis: The First Millennial Saint - 'God's Influencer' Canonized!
Pope Leo XIV has declared Carlo Acutis, a 15-year-old computer genius who passed away in 2006, as the Catholic Church's first millennial saint. This historic event took place in Vatican City, drawing thousands of attendees, especially young people and families.
Who Was Carlo Acutis?
Born in London in 1991 and raised in Milan, Carlo Acutis was an ordinary teenager with an extraordinary devotion to his faith. He quickly became known as 'God's Influencer' because of his exceptional computer skills, which he used to create a multilingual website documenting Eucharistic miracles. This website became his major legacy, showcasing his dedication to spreading the Catholic faith through technology.
Why is He Important?
- Relatable Role Model: Acutis, with his jeans, PlayStation, and tech skills, offers a modern and relatable figure for young Catholics.
- Digital Evangelization: He demonstrated how technology can be used for good, inspiring others to share their faith online.
- Ordinary Life, Extraordinary Faith: Acutis proves that even ordinary lives can become extraordinary through devotion to God.
Pope Leo XIV emphasized that Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati, another newly canonized saint, created masterpieces out of their lives by dedicating them to God. He urged young people not to waste their lives but to direct them upwards, following the examples of these saints.
Acutis's body is on display at his tomb, having been exhumed and covered with a wax layer, with his face reconstructed with a silicon mask. This allows pilgrims to connect with him physically as they seek inspiration from his life and work. His canonization marks a significant moment, recognizing the impact of a young man who used his talents to inspire faith in the digital age.