Carlo Acutis, a teenager born in London, became the first saint of the millennial generation. Pope Francis presided over his canonization ceremony on Sunday.
This was reported by Vatican News.
On September 7, a solemn Mass was held in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, during which Pope Leo XIV canonized two young Italian blesseds — Carlo Acutis (1991-2006) and Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901-1925).
Approximately 80,000 pilgrims from around the world attended the festive service. Additionally, more than a million people made a pilgrimage to the Italian city of Assisi, where Acutis' body lies resting.
Acutis, who was of Italian and British descent, died of leukemia in 2006 at the age of 15. He was originally scheduled to be declared a saint on April 27, but the event was postponed following the death of Pope Francis.
During his short life, Acutis earned the nickname "God's Influencer" for creating websites that discussed "miracles" to promote Catholic teachings. He is credited with healing a 4-year-old Brazilian boy with a severe pancreatic malformation and a 21-year-old Costa Rican woman who was near death after a bicycle accident. The parents of both individuals prayed to Acutis for help.
During the Holy Mass for the canonization of Saints Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis, Pope Leo XIV emphasized the availability of holiness to everyone, which grows through deepening one's relationship with the Lord through prayer and the practice of merciful love.
According to the Pope, many young people have found themselves at this crossroads throughout the centuries. He cited the example of Saint Francis of Assisi, who, despite being wealthy and seeking fame, transformed his life after encountering Jesus, and then began to "write the wonderful story of holiness" known to many, giving up everything to follow the Lord. His Holiness also mentioned St. Augustine, who recounted a moment of confusion in his life when he heard a voice inside him saying, "I want you." This encounter led God to give a new direction to his life. "Today we look to St. Pier Giorgio Frassati and St. Carlo Acutis: a young man from the early 20th century and a teenager from our own day, both in love with Jesus and ready to give everything for him," stated Leo XIV.
The Pope highlighted that Pier Giorgio encountered Jesus through his school and church communities, living a joyful Christian life marked by prayer, friendship, and charity. "Even today, Pier Giorgio's life is a beacon for lay spirituality. For him, faith was not a private matter. Inspired by the power of the Gospel and his involvement in ecclesial associations, he generously committed to public and political life, and served the poor," the Pope noted.
He also emphasized that Carlo encountered Jesus within his family, thanks to his parents, brother, and sister, and especially through the Holy Sacraments celebrated in the parish community. "He grew up naturally integrating prayer, sport, study, and charity into his days as a child and young man," the pontiff said, underscoring that both nurtured their love for God and neighbor through simple means available to everyone: daily Holy Mass, prayer, and especially Eucharistic adoration. Another vital aspect of their lives was regular Confession. Ultimately, both young saints "had deep devotion to the saints and the Blessed Virgin Mary, and they generously practiced charity."