A British-born Italian teenager who used computer coding to spread the Catholic faith will make history as the first millennial saint, proving that traditional values and modern technology can powerfully unite to inspire a generation.
Story Highlights
- Carlo Acutis becomes first millennial Catholic saint on September 7, 2025, in Vatican ceremony
- Self-taught coder who created religious websites died of leukemia at age 15 in 2006
- Canonization delayed after Pope Francis’s death, now led by new Pope Leo XIV
- Two verified miracles attributed to Acutis’s intercession paved way for sainthood
Historic Milestone for Digital Generation
Carlo Acutis will be canonized as the Catholic Church’s first millennial saint on September 7, 2025, at St. Peter’s Square in Rome. Born in London in 1991 and raised in Milan, Acutis died of leukemia at age 15 in 2006. His remarkable journey from ordinary teenager to sainthood demonstrates how traditional faith values can thrive in the digital age, offering hope to families concerned about technology’s impact on youth.
Technology Meets Traditional Faith
Acutis taught himself computer programming and created websites documenting Eucharistic miracles throughout history. His digital evangelization work bridged ancient Catholic traditions with modern technology, proving that conservative religious values can effectively utilize contemporary tools. This approach directly counters secular narratives that pit faith against technological progress, showing how young people can use digital platforms to strengthen rather than erode traditional beliefs.
Miracles Confirm Divine Intervention
The Vatican confirmed two miracles attributed to Acutis’s intercession, meeting the Church’s rigorous requirements for canonization. The first miracle led to his beatification in 2020, while the second involved a Costa Rican woman’s recovery from a brain hemorrhage in 2022 after prayers for Acutis’s intercession. These documented healings provide concrete evidence supporting the Catholic Church’s teachings about divine intervention and the communion of saints.
Papal Transition Delays Historic Ceremony
Originally scheduled for April 2025, the canonization was postponed following Pope Francis’s death. Pope Leo XIV, the new pontiff, rescheduled the ceremony for September 7, 2025, marking one of his first major acts as pope. The ceremony will also canonize Pier Giorgio Frassati, another young Catholic who exemplified faith-centered living. This dual canonization emphasizes the Church’s commitment to elevating role models who lived out traditional Catholic values in their daily lives.
Legacy Inspires Catholic Youth Worldwide
Acutis’s tomb in Assisi has become a major pilgrimage destination, particularly for young Catholics seeking a relatable saint. His mother, Antonia Salzano, continues promoting his message of ordinary holiness achieved through devotion to the Eucharist and service to others. This grassroots devotion reflects how authentic faith testimonies resonate across generations, providing an alternative to secular youth culture that often promotes values contrary to traditional family and religious principles.
Sources:
Jersey Catholic – Carlo Acutis Canonization Postponed
USCCB – Pope Sets Sept 7 Joint Canonization
Vatican News – Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati to be Canonized Together
